SC tells Centre, states to fill all posts in child rights panels

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre and States to ensure that all positions in the national and state commissions for protection of child rights are filled up. The court also asked all the high courts to seriously consider establishing child-friendly courts and vulnerable witness courts in each district. A Bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta also directed the states to ensure that all positions in juvenile justice boards and Child Welfare Committees are filled up expeditiously.

The Bench requested the chief justices of all high courts to register proceedings on their own for effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. "The Ministry of Women and Child Development in the Government of India and the State Governments should ensure that all positions in the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (SCPR) are filled up well in time and adequate staff is provided to these statutory bodies so that they can function effectively and meaningfully for the benefit of the children," the court said.