NHRC asks for comments from Chief Secretary, Delhi
on 13 Juveniles lodged in Tihar Jail
New Delhi, December 8, 2006
The National Human Rights Commission has asked the Chief Secretary, Delhi Government to give comments on a report, which said 13 juveniles are still in Tihar Jail. Taking suo-motu cognizance of a newspaper report, which said that these 13 juveniles delinquents have been sent to Tihar Jail for 1-5 years the Commission said if the contents of the report are true they raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of juveniles. The report, which appeared in the Times of India on November 26, 2006, said that despite stringent law in place and Supreme Court directives these delinquents, as per the record of the Juvenile Justice Board, have been lodged in Tihar Jail along with hardened criminals.
According to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, the Juvenile delinquents should be kept separately from hardened criminals, in observation home during their trial and special home after conviction.
The report also said that despite repeated reminders by Tihar Jail Authorities and a notice by the Juvenile Justice Board, Delhi Government's Social Welfare Department was not able to create any "Place of Safety" for convicted juvenile delinquents. The report further said that the capital has just two observation and special homes, which are overcrowded.
The Commission has directed that a copy of the newspaper report be sent to the Chief Secretary, Delhi Government for his comments within two weeks.
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The National Human Rights Commission has asked the Chief Secretary, Delhi Government to give comments on a report, which said 13 juveniles are still in Tihar Jail. Taking suo-motu cognizance of a newspaper report, which said that these 13 juveniles delinquents have been sent to Tihar Jail for 1-5 years the Commission said if the contents of the report are true they raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of juveniles. The report, which appeared in the Times of India on November 26, 2006, said that despite stringent law in place and Supreme Court directives these delinquents, as per the record of the Juvenile Justice Board, have been lodged in Tihar Jail along with hardened criminals.
According to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, the Juvenile delinquents should be kept separately from hardened criminals, in observation home during their trial and special home after conviction.
The report also said that despite repeated reminders by Tihar Jail Authorities and a notice by the Juvenile Justice Board, Delhi Government's Social Welfare Department was not able to create any "Place of Safety" for convicted juvenile delinquents. The report further said that the capital has just two observation and special homes, which are overcrowded.
The Commission has directed that a copy of the newspaper report be sent to the Chief Secretary, Delhi Government for his comments within two weeks.
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