Maharashtra Child Rights Commission Directs Police to Form Special Juvenile Units
The Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken a significant step to enhance child protection across the state. In a recent directive, the commission has written to the superintendent of police (SP) and commissioner of police of all districts and city commissionerates, urging them to establish Special Juvenile Police Units (SJPUs). This move is mandated under the Juvenile Justice Act of 2015, which aims to provide better support for children in need.
Addressing Gaps in Child Welfare Infrastructure
Commission members have highlighted a critical gap in the current system. While child welfare police officers have been assigned to every police station as per the Act, there is a notable absence of dedicated SJPUs. According to section 107 of the Juvenile Justice Act, these units are essential for coordinating issues related to children, ensuring a more structured and effective approach to child welfare.
The commission emphasizes that SJPUs must be set up at both district and city levels. Each unit should be headed by a police officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP). Additionally, the unit must include all police officers designated as welfare officers and two social workers with experience in child welfare, with at least one of these social workers being a woman. Importantly, this requirement also extends to the Railway police, ensuring comprehensive coverage across all law enforcement agencies.
Commission's First Meeting and Compliance Deadline
The first meeting of the newly established commission was held on April 15, where these issues were discussed in detail. Following this, Secretary of the commission, Pankaj Devare, wrote letters to each SP and CP across Maharashtra, outlining the necessity of SJPUs and the steps required for their implementation.
Atul Desai, a member of the commission, elaborated on the purpose of these units. "These units should help kids who are either children in conflict with the law or children in need of care and protection," he stated. "The staffers in these units must be trained to handle kids as sensitively as possible. The unit must have names, designation, and phone number of the in-charge installed at a place that it is visible to the visitors." To ensure prompt action, the commission has set a strict deadline of one month for reporting compliance with these directives.
Recent Government Initiatives and Training Mandates
This directive follows recent efforts by the state government to improve child welfare within the police force. Last month, the Maharashtra home department issued a Government Resolution (GR) mandating structured and compulsory training for police personnel deployed as child welfare officers. This training aims to ensure consistency and sensitivity in handling cases involving children, aligning with the broader goals of the Juvenile Justice Act.
The establishment of SJPUs is seen as a crucial step in strengthening the state's child protection framework. By creating specialized units with trained personnel, the commission hopes to provide better support for vulnerable children, whether they are in conflict with the law or in need of care and protection. This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the importance of dedicated resources and coordination in safeguarding children's rights across Maharashtra.
