144 minor children arrested, Jammu and Kashmir administration accepts

Srinagar, Ta. 2 October 2019 Wednesday

Jammu and Kashmir High Court's Juvenile Justice Committee on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that the Jammu and Kashmir High Court's Juvenile Justice Committee had informed the Supreme Court that after the cancellation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, some nine to seventy children were raped in some places in Jammu and Kashmir.

A total of 144 children were arrested, out of which 142 were released and information was given to the Supreme Court. All of these children were housed in Juvenile Homes. The remaining two minors are also at the Juvenile Home.

In response to the petition filed by Anakshi Ganguly and Shanta Singh, who are active for the rights of the children, the Supreme Court asked the Jammu and Kashmir High Court to prepare and send details of how many children were detained in the state.

Justice Ali Muhammad, head of the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, prepared the report and submitted it to the Supreme Court. The report clearly stated that as per the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, no minor child was arrested here illegally.

The Right to Children Act was strictly enforced. The Jammu and Kashmir High Court did not get a complaint that the detention of one child was illegal.

However some Habeas corpus petition came before the High Court. The detained children were described as minors. The High Court had deputed the ADGP level to a police officer to monitor these children.