In Brief
Sampurna Behura filed a public interest petition under Article 32 of the Constitution highlighting widespread non-implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act across States. The Court found that State Governments had failed to establish functional Juvenile Justice Boards, Child Welfare Committees, Special Juvenile Police Units, and maintain adequate Child Care Institutions despite over a decade of legislative enactment. The Court issued detailed directions requiring States to fill all statutory positions, provide proper training to judicial officers and Probation Officers, register all child care institutions, establish State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights, leverage technology for monitoring, and ensure minimum standards of living conditions for children in state custody. The Court emphasized that child protection is a constitutional obligation, not charity, and High Courts must proactively oversee implementation.
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