Supreme Court sternly asks states to implement law on juveniles

NEW DELHI: "Enough is enough", the Supreme Court said today as it rapped states for their failure to comply with its directions on implementing the Juvenile Justice Act and told them to put their act together.

A bench comprising justices Madan B Lokur and N V Ramana listed out 16 points like setting up of Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) and Child Welfare Homes in every district and asked the Centre to come up with a road map in two weeks to ensure compliance.

"States should now put their act together. Enough is enough. These are serious issues which need due consideration and deliberation," the bench said.

The bench also asked the Centre to inform it about the status of the state advisory boards and state commission for protection of child rights and posted the matter for further hearing on February 29.

The bench listed 16 points to the Centre, including setting up of JJBs in every district, child welfare committees with trained members, probationary officers with training, juvenile police units and legal aid lawyers with training.

Among other points the apex court listed are training for members of the JJBs, appointing the required manpower to the Boards, training for executive magistrate and child care units.

It asked the Centre to come up with a road map to ensure that all the points were implemented in different states and said the concerned ministry should also come up with training manuals for the board members and probationary officers.

The bench, was hearing a PIL seeking implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act and its rules.

The apex court had earlier questioned the functioning of JJBs and sought details on the pendency of cases, frequency of its sittings, vacancy of posts and other related issues.

The court's directions came on the petition which was filed in 2005 by petitioner Sampurna Behrua about the government's apathy in implementing the welfare legislation.