With a view to ascertain working of childcare institutions in the State, Chief Justice Gita Mittal today inspected Children’s Home at Shalimar and Observation Home at Harwan here
Chief Justice was accompanied by Justice Ali Muhammad Magray, chairman Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court, Justice Hasnain Masoodi chairman Selection Cum Oversight Committee, Farooq Ahmad Lone administrative secretary Social Welfare Department, Sanjay Dhar registrar general High Court, Abdul Rashid Malik director J & K State Judicial Academy, GA Sofi, State Mission director ICPS, Jawad Ahmad principal secretary to the Chief Justice, Ruksana Ghani, director general, Social Welfare Department and Parvaiz Iqbal, principal magistrate Juvenile Justice Board Srinagar.
On the occasion, Chief Justice and Justice Ali Muhammad Magray interacted with the children in both the Homes. On spot directions were given to the Social welfare department to ensure proper education, physical activities including indoor and outdoor games, health care facilities, counselling, recreational activities, skill development, computer education of the children lodged in the Homes. They were also directed to provide sufficient supporting staff to the JJB’s and CWC’s as envisaged under Rules 80& 81 of JJ Act.
Chief Justice also directed secretary SWD to provide video-conferencing facility to all JJB’S and Observation Homes to ensure fast and speedy disposal of cases of children in conflict with law. The Chief Justice and Justice Ali Muhammad Magray directed all the principal magistrates of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure fast and speedy disposal of the cases pending against children in conflict with law.
Chief Justice and other judges individually interacted with the children. Chief Justice directed that free and competent legal services shall be provided to the children and three lawyers alternatively shall remain available in the Free Legal Aid clinic at Harwan.
On the occasion, the children of the three Homes interacted with Chief Justice and shared their view points. “Chief Justice and chairman Juvenile Justice Committee will again visit the Homes to see as to whether the directions given to the Social Welfare Department to improve the conditions of the Homes have been complied with in letter and spirit keeping in view the best interest of the children staying in the Homes and to ensure their happy childhood,” an official statement said.