Powers, functions and responsibilities of Juvenile Justice Board

Section 8 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, deals with the powers, functions and responsibilities of the Juvenile Justice Board.

Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force but save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, the Juvenile Justice Board constituted under the provisions of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 for any district shall have the power to deal exclusively with all the proceedings under this Act, relating to children in conflict with law, in the area of jurisdiction of such Board.

The powers conferred on the Juvenile Justice Board by or under this Act may also be exercised by the High Court and the Children’s Court, when the proceedings come before them under Section 19 or in appeal, revision or otherwise.

Juvenile Justice Board is responsible for;

1. ensuring the informed participation of the child and the parent or guardian, in every step of the process;
2. ensuring that the child’s rights are protected throughout the process of apprehending the child, inquiry, aftercare and rehabilitation;
3. ensuring availability of legal aid for the child through the legal services institutions;
4. wherever necessary the Board shall provide an interpreter or translator, having such qualifications, experience, and on payment of such fees as may be prescribed, to the child if he fails to understand the language used in the proceedings;
5. directing the Probation Officer, or in case a Probation Officer is not available to the Child Welfare Officer or a social worker, to undertake a social investigation into the case and submit a social investigation report within a period of fifteen days from the date of first production before the Board to ascertain the circumstances in which the alleged offence was committed;
6. adjudicate and dispose of cases of children in conflict with law in accordance with the process of inquiry specified in section 14;
7. transferring to the Committee, matters concerning the child alleged to be in conflict with law, stated to be in need of care and protection at any stage, thereby recognizing that a child in conflict with law can also be a child in need of care simultaneously and there is a need for the Committee and the Board to be both involved;
8. disposing of the matter and passing a final order that includes an individual care plan for the child’s rehabilitation, including follow up by the Probation Officer or the District Child Protection Unit or a member of a non-governmental organization, as may be required;
9. conducting inquiry for declaring fit persons regarding care of children in conflict with law;
10. conducting at least one inspection visit every month of residential facilities for children in conflict with law and recommend action for improvement in quality of services to the District Child Protection Unit and the State Government;
11. order the police for registration of first information report for offences committed against any child in conflict with law, under this Act or any other law for the time being in force, on a complaint made in this regard;
12. order the police for registration of first information report for offences committed against any child in need of care and protection, under this Act or any other law for the time being in force, on a written complaint by a Committee in this regard;
13. conducting regular inspection of jails meant for adults to check if any child is lodged in such jails and take immediate measures for transfer of such a child to the observation home; and
14. any other function as may be prescribed.