Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 19: The High Court, while expressing its displeasure for not submitting compliance report about the removal of deficiencies in Children Homes and orphanages in the Valley today directed to submit the same by next date.
The Division Bench of Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey said the matter is of urgent nature, therefore it should not have been taken so lightly.
“Respondents shall ensure filing of requisite compliance report as well as affidavit”, DB directed while recording dissatisfaction about the approach of the authorities.
“In compliance to the directions issued earlier, neither requisite compliance report nor requisite affidavit has been filed. We record our dissatisfaction about the response of the respondents”, read the order.
Court had directed the authorities to remove whatever deficiencies are in Children Homes and Orphanages in the Valley and report to the Court in this regard.
The direction was given to Mission Director ICPS who was under command to remove the pointed out deficiencies by the amicus and senior counsel B A Bashir while visiting some of the Children Homes and orphanages situated in the Valley.
Advocate Bashir in terms of previous direction was asked to suggest points of action to the affidavit of Commissioner Secretary SWD. He has prepared the response and filed the same before the Court.
Amicus in his response/visit report stated that he has been visiting Orphanages at Shalimar and Girls Children Home at Chadoora only and all other Children homes in the Valley or in Jammu or Leh have not been visited by anybody to find out the status of children residing therein.
“The pathetic condition of Chadoora Girls Home has already been brought to the notice of this court by filing visit report thereof in October itself which is on record. What improvements have taken place with regard to the deficiencies pointed out therein and visa-a-vis the Act is to be explained by the other side who have not provided any response in this behalf till date, despite directions from the court on October 12 to Mission Director ICPS, to remove the same immediately”, response of amicus read.
That as far as the affidavit of Social Welfare Department is concerned, it is stated that perusal of the same showed that authorities are admitting the position that Children Homes in the State are not running in the State as per the Act. Therefore it needs to be explained by them keeping the deficiencies mentioned by the authorities in the affidavit. “What improvements have taken place in this behalf till date, so that this court would be in a position to find out what further appropriate directions need to be passed to meet the requirements under the (Juvenile Justice (Protection & Care of Children) Act”, response of amicus further read.
Download Daily Excelsior Apps Now:
