Expired tenures stall final orders, child protection, rehabilitation and adoption
Jahangeer Ganaie
SRINAGAR, Oct 21 (KNO): The Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) in Jammu and Kashmir have become partially non-functional, while Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) have become dysfunctional following the expiry of their members’ tenure, raising concerns over justice and protection for vulnerable children.
An order issued by Mission Vatsalya states that the tenure of most CWCs and JJBs expired on April 15, 2026. The government subsequently granted a six-month extension, which ended on October 13, but fresh appointments have yet to be made.
With the tenure of two members of the JJBs having expired, the boards are left with only their Principal Magistrates. Under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, at least two members, including the Principal Magistrate, must be present to pass final orders or direct the transfer of certain cases involving heinous offences to Children’s Courts.
The CWCs, comprising a chairperson and four members, have also become non-functional following the expiry of their members’ tenure. Their absence has disrupted the institutional process for identifying children in need of care and protection, potentially affecting their admission to childcare institutions, foster care and adoption.
Former minister and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone criticised the government for failing to constitute new committees and boards, saying the delay had created uncertainty over the protection of children in distress and those in conflict with the law.
Lone said the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) had established an institutional mechanism to address the needs of vulnerable children and juveniles in conflict with the law. He also highlighted the high incidence of minors being taken into police custody in Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to a Mission Vatsalya communication dated October 13, Lone said the document acknowledged that the extension had expired and the new bodies were yet to be constituted.
He questioned why the government had failed to complete the appointment process within the six-month extension period.
“The order itself admits new CWCs/JJBs ‘are yet to be constituted’. The discretion is exhausted. The default is totally by the government. No space for scapegoating,” he said.