DB directives in PIL regarding child abuse

14/03/2018

JAMMU, Mar 13: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Shivan Mahajan against child abuse, A Division Bench of State High Court Comprising Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Kumar, observed that affidavit filed by Mr Ravinder Gupta on behalf of the School Education Department, we find that the said Department has already issued directions to the Directors of School Education for the two provinces, Jammu and Kashmir. As per the directions, the Head Masters and the Principals of the Government and the private educational institutions are to issue necessary orders to create awareness about child abuse/notify necessary helplines and to nominate one teacher in every school, who is sensitive to child abuse issues before whom complaints could be made freely by a child undergoing such abuse, within the school premises. It has also been directed that the counselling cells, which had been set up, be activated in the Directorates regarding child abuse. These instructions were issued on 7.3.2018. It would be necessary for us to ascertain whether these instructions have been complied with by all the Head Masters and the Principals of the Government and the private educational institutions. A comprehensive report in this regard be submitted within four weeks.
DB further observed that since the communication dated 07.03.2018 has been addressed to the Directors of School Education for Jammu and Kashmir provinces, we direct them to expedite the process without any delay and to ensure that the orders of this Court and the instructions issued pursuant to the orders of this Court are complied with immediately. DB directed that a comprehensive status report shall be filed within four weeks as indicated above, giving clear particulars about the compliance of the directions by each of the schools in every part of the State.
DB further observed that Sr. Adv Sunil Sethi has also brought up the issue of begging with particular reference to children. DB aksed the counsel on both the sides to examine the decision in the case of Ram Lakhan v State, in the backdrop of the laws available on the subject within the State of Jammu and Kashmir and to make submissions thereon on the next date of hearing. JNF

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