Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Aug 20: A day-long training session for special juvenile police unit was organized at SP's office here on Thursday, August 20 to discuss issues related to juvenile cases.

District civil court judge and chairman of Dakshina Kannada Juvenile Justice Board, N S Patil said, "In cases where the accused or victims are under 18, the officers concerned have to conduct the interrogation in front of the juvenile incharge officer and when the accused is brought to the court only the juvenile incharge officer must bring them to court without wearing police uniform. It has been observed that this rule is not being followed in the police stations. It has to be followed as per the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.

"The identity of the juvenile has to be kept secret. Even the media is also not allowed to reveal any information of the accused or the victim. If it is not followed, the media can be punished under the Act. When the child is produced in front of the Juvenile Justice Board, the person has to be accompanied by parents or relatives, and if in any special case, it has to be informed to the court prior to the trial in order to provide safety to the child when released on bail. As of now, 200 juvenile cases are pending in the court and they will be cleared soon," he added.

Superintendent of police (SP), Dakshina Kannada district, Dr Sharanappa S D said, "The reason for introducing the Juvenile Justice Act was to provide special care for children under 18 years, who are accused or victims of crimes. Many amendments have been introduced like establishment of Juvenile Justice Board, child welfare committee, how a juvenile has to be punished etc. A juvenile can get a maximum punishment of three years, and he has to be brought to trial within four months of filing the chargesheet.

"Juvenile cases are less in DK district. There were nine juvenile cases reported in 2013, seven cases in 2014 and only four cases in 2015, which is a good news for the district. Each police station has a child protection in-charge. The media should not reveal the identity of the juvenile in any situation, and if violated it is punishable under POCSO Act," he informed.

Ruvina and Somashekar conducted a day-long workshop for the special juvenile police unit. Additional SP Vincent Shanthakumar was also present.