Seminar on Juvenile justice held

KOCHI: As per the directions of the Supreme Court, the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KELSA) conducted an awareness programme on juvenile jurisprudence in conjunction with the Ernakulam District Legal Services Authority, on Saturday. Juvenile justice experts delivered lectures at the seminar attended by officials representing the the Juvenile Welfare Board and various child welfare organisations. Supreme Court Judge Justice Altamas Kabir, who is also the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority, in his inaugural speech, said: “The laws pertaining to children should be seen as tools for protecting them. And those children who commit crimes should be treated under the guidelines on juvenile justice issued by the Supreme Court.”Supreme Court Judge Justice Cyriac Joseph shed light on instances where the juvenile laws were  being misused. “There were many instances of anti-social elements persuading the children to commit crime, thus exploiting the soft approach of our legal system towards them. Concerned authorities should be aware of such hoodwinking, as well”, he pointed out.  The website of the Domestic Violence Eradication Mission, an organisation for preventing domestic violence in Kothamangalam Thaluk, was also launched during the function.  Acting Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court Justice Manjula Chellur, High Court Judge Justice C N Ramachandran Nair and Advocate General K P Dhandapani were also present.