In Brief
Sampurna Behura filed a public interest litigation under Article 32 of the Constitution seeking implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000 (later 2015). The Supreme Court found that State Governments had failed to adequately implement the law despite over a decade of enactment, resulting in poor conditions in child care institutions, lack of trained personnel, non-functional statutory bodies, and deprivation of children's fundamental rights. The Court issued 16 comprehensive directions requiring States to strengthen institutional infrastructure, fill vacancies in Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees, establish Special Juvenile Police Units, provide mandatory training to all stakeholders, maintain minimum standards in child care institutions, appoint qualified probation officers, utilize technology for data collection, and create monitoring mechanisms. The Court emphasized that child protection is a constitutional obligation, not discretionary, and appointed high courts to oversee implementation.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.