Karnataka Child Rights Chief Conducts Surprise Inspection at Dharmasthala Police Station
In a significant move to bolster child protection mechanisms, Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) Chairperson Shashidhar S Kosambe paid an unannounced visit to the Dharmasthala police station on Sunday. The surprise inspection focused on a comprehensive review of the station's functioning concerning child-related procedures and the meticulous maintenance of associated records.
Key Directives for Enhanced Child Welfare
During his visit, Chairperson Kosambe issued several crucial instructions aimed at strengthening the juvenile justice framework at the grassroots level. He mandated that an 'Open House' programme be conducted every Thursday without fail. This initiative is designed to actively create awareness among children about their fundamental rights and the legal protections available to them.
Furthermore, he emphasized strict adherence to procedural documentation. Kosambe instructed that Form No. 1 must be compulsorily filled when presenting children in conflict with the law before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB). Similarly, Form No. 17 is to be mandatorily completed whenever children are taken before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for essential counselling sessions.
Review of Special Units and Case Reporting
The chairperson conducted a thorough review of the operations of the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) stationed at Dharmasthala. He personally inspected the register maintained specifically for the Open House programme and scrutinized all records pertaining to child-related cases handled by the station.
A critical directive was issued to ensure the timely and accurate reporting of all cases involving violations of child rights. This mandate explicitly includes incidents of kidnapping, cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and instances of child marriage, underscoring a zero-tolerance approach towards such offences.
Mandatory Installation of Information Display Boards
Invoking specific legal provisions, Chairperson Kosambe stated that, in compliance with Section 107 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, along with Rules 8(6) and 86(11) of the Juvenile Justice Model Rules, a permanent display board must be installed at the police station without delay.
This board is required to clearly display the names, designations, addresses, and contact phone numbers of all designated officers responsible for child welfare. It must also prominently feature the national child helpline number, 1098, ensuring immediate accessibility for children and the public in need of assistance.
The inspection was attended by Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Samarth Ganiger and other staff members of the Dharmasthala police station, who were present to receive the chairperson's directives and ensure their prompt implementation.
