HC directs TN govt to appoint new members in JJBs in 32 dists

The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to proceed with the appointment of new members in Juvenile Justice Boards in all 32 districts, based on its new rules in consonance with the Model Rules of the Union government within four months.

A division bench of justices Huluvadi G Ramesh and M Dhandapani gave the direction on three petitions filed by S Srinivasa Raghavan and C Anandaraj.

The petitioners sought a direction to restrain the Director of Social Defence, Chennai, from appointing the members to the Boards without forming the selection committee as per the Model Rules Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

They also sought a direction to the officials to take appropriate steps for selection of members for the JJB's and that of the Child Welfare Committees (CWC) in all districts under Section 88 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2016.

Disposing of the petitions, the bench said, "It appears that the appointment process has not been completed and since the new rules came into effect in the year 2016, the appointment of new members has to proceed only based on the new Rules in consonance with the Model Rules of the Central Government."