Calcutta HC to hear suo moto case for prevention of COVID-19 in child protection homes

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday is going to hear a suo moto case on measures to be taken to protect children lodged in protection homes from the COVID-19. The case titled “Contagion of COVID-19 virus in Children Protection Homes” shall be heard by the division bench comprising of Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Soumen Senon though video conferencing tomorrow at 1.15 PM.

Similarly, the Kerala High Court has also directed that a report on the steps taken for protection of interests of children in Juvenile Justice Homes during the COVID-19 pandemicbe submitted by April 15. A division bench comprising of Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Shaji P Chaly took up the matter through video conferencing in pursuance to an order passed last Friday by the Supreme Court.

Telangana High Court  has also requested all the Juvenile Justice Boards and Children Courts in the state to file a status report regarding measures to be taken to protect children in conflict with law, in terms of the Apex Court order. The Court also issued detailed directions to prevent the spread of Coronavirus amongst children living in Child Care Institutions.The High Court issued an Office Order asking the Unit Heads of all the Juvenile Justice Boards and Children Courts in the State to file a status report by 14th April.

The Supreme Court has already issued directions to Child Care Institutions across the country, asking them to consider whether children should be kept in the respective. The Supreme Court while disposing the suo moto writ petition  had also requested the JJCs of all the High Courts to not only ensure due compliance of the order but they shall also regularly monitor the implementation of the directions issued as frequently as possible and at least once a week.

-India Legal Bureau