New Delhi, Oct 9 The Supreme Court will hold a two-day national consultation on Saturday and Sunday to review the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, and identify challenges and priorities for strengthening the child protection system over the next decade.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant will inaugurate the consultation organised by the Supreme Court's Juvenile Justice Committee in association with UNICEF at the apex court's premises here.
The event will bring together Supreme Court and high court judges, senior government officials and child rights experts to deliberate on the progress made in implementing the legislation and ways to improve access to justice for children, the release issued by the apex court said.
A compendium of landmark Supreme Court and high court judgments relating to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, covering the period from 2015 to September 2026, will be released by the CJI during the inaugural session.
Justice B V Nagarathna, Supreme Court judge and chairperson of the Juvenile Justice Committee, will deliver the opening remarks, while UNICEF India Country Representative Cynthia McCaffrey will make the introductory remarks.
The deliberations will focus on the rights of children in conflict with law, preliminary assessment by Juvenile Justice Boards in heinous offences, adoption procedures, institutional care and rehabilitation of vulnerable children.
Technical sessions will examine the implementation of the Act across states and Union Territories, with representatives from several states and regions sharing their experiences and best practices.
The consultation will also discuss ways to improve coordination among institutions, strengthen child-friendly justice mechanisms and promote the rehabilitation and reintegration of children.
The event will conclude on Sunday with special remarks by UNICEF India's Chief of Child Protection Milen Kidane and an address by Union Ministry of Women and Child Development Secretary Anil Malik.
Justice J B Pardiwala, Supreme Court judge and member of the Juvenile Justice Committee, will deliver the closing remarks.
The release said the consultation aims to help shape priorities for the next decade, with a focus on protecting children's rights, strengthening institutional accountability and ensuring access to care, protection and justice
