HC to PWD: Rectify infra issues of 21 juvenile homes
New Delhi, Jan. 30: The Delhi high court on Tuesday directed the Public Works Department ( PWD) of the Delhi government to provide a timeline within which the infrastructure issues of 21 juvenile homes in the capital would be rectified.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar also asked the authorities and two amicus curaie, appointed to assist the court, to inspect these homes and give their report on the deficiencies in facilities there and the solutions.
Additional Standing counsel of Delhi government Satyakam, appearing for the PWD, assured the court that its earlier order would be complied with and a report along with the timeline within which necessary rectification/ additional infrastructure would be carried out, would be filed in 10 days.
The bench was said there were a total of 21 government institutions in Delhi — observation homes, children homes, special homes, child care centres, place of safety and shelter homes.
The bench also asked the principal magistrates of the juvenile justice boards to accompany the team to ensure that all deficiencies are brought to its notice and a report filed.
It fixed the matter for March for further hearing. The court had expressed anguish over deficiencies in these remand homes due to lack of infrastructure.
It made observations while taking cognisance of a media report referring to inspection of a home by a Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights team.