JK High Court orders state govt to appoint 22 judicial magistrates to fast track juvenile cases

Srinagar, May 5: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Friday directed the state government to appoint additional 22 judicial magistrates required for setting up of juvenile justice boards in all districts. Notably, the appointment of 22 additional judicial magistrates will help in lessening the time consumption in the cases related to a juvenile.

 

A division bench comprising of justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, directed the government to modify rules for appointment of Judicial magistrates for juvenile justice boards (JJBs) in the state to create 22 additional posts under the Jammu and Kashmir Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act of 2013 and the Rules of 2014.

The High Court while giving the judgement after hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) noted that in absence of 22 juvenile justice boards to be set up under Section 4(1) of the Act, the chief judicial magistrates are exercising the powers and performing the functions of the boards.

The Jammu and Kashmir high court also said that the JJBs presided over by designated Principal Magistrates and comprising members already appointed, may function in several districts including Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag, Leh, Kargil, Doda, Jammu and Poonch.

However, the high court also said that the Chief Judicial Magistrates in remaining districts of Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Budgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Ramban, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri, Kathua and Samba shall preside over as Principal Magistrates over the JJBs till the posts are sanctioned. “Two JJBs members in each of the 14 districts stand already appointed and would be associated with respective Juvenile Justice Boards,” the court added.