Offences Against Children and Juvenile Justice
Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya · LL.B. Semester 10 · LAIJTD2N
Unit I — Conceptual and Theoretical Foundations
Meaning and characteristics of juvenile delinquency · Historical development of juvenile justice in India and globally · Causes of juvenile delinquency: psychological, sociological, economic, and familial · Theories of delinquent behaviour with legal relevance: · Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory · Albert K. Cohen’s Delinquent Subculture Theory · Labeling Theory , Anomie Theory , Control Theory (brief overview) · NCRB data and trends related to juvenile crimes in India · Shift from welfare to rights-based approach
Unit II — International Legal Framework on Child Protection
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), 1989 · ICCPR and children’s rights under international human rights law · UN Guidelines: · Riyadh Guidelines (1990) – Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency · Tokyo Rules (1990) – Non-Custodial Measures · Role of international bodies: UNICEF, UN ECOSOC · Impact of international standards on Indian juvenile justice reforms
Unit III — Juvenile Justice System in India and Legal Principles
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 – objectives and salient features · Key definitions and classifications: · Child in Conflict with Law · Child in Need of Care and Protection · Petty , Serious , and Heinous offences · Statutory principles of the 2015 Act: best interest, non-stigmatization, child participation · Interlinkages with POCSO Act, 2012 and Information Technology Act, 2000
Unit IV — Statutory Institutions and Juvenile Justice Procedures
Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) – composition, powers, and procedure · Child Welfare Committee (CWC) – functions, inquiry and care orders · Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) – duties and role · Age determination and burden of proof of juvenility · Orders under the JJ Act: · Admonition · Community service · Fine · Probation supervision (maximum 3 years) · Transfer of cases to Children’s Court for heinous offences (Sections 15–18 JJ Act) · Roles of Probation Officers, social workers, NGOs in child care and rehabilitation
Unit V — Institutional Care and Rehabilitation under Juvenile Justice Law
Types of Child Care Institutions under the JJ Act: · Observation Homes · Special Homes · Children’s Homes · Rehabilitation and reintegration mechanisms: · Education, vocational training, healthcare, psychological support · Special protections for girl children in institutional care · Monitoring and administrative bodies: NCPCR, NHRC, District Child Protection Units · Use of NCRB data and national surveys on institutional care and child protection outcomes · Aftercare programmes and community-based reintegration
Unit VI — Offences Against Children in India
Overview of vulnerable categories: children in conflict with law, in need of care and protection, street children, child labourers, trafficked children · Nature of Offences: Sexual Offences, Child Labour, Trafficking, Drug Abuse, Cyber Abuse · Protection of Children from Sexual offences against children: · POCSO Act, 2012 – key definitions, procedures, special courts · BNS, 2023 – relevant clauses: · Clause 63 (Rape) · Clause 66 (Sexual offences against minors) · Clause 147 (Trafficking and exploitation of children) · Child trafficking and forced prostitution (ITPA, 1956) · Drug abuse involving children – NDPS Act · Child labour and bonded labour: Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 (as amended) · Key Judicial Decisions: Sheela Barse v. Union of India; Salil Bali v. Union of India; · Independent Thought v. Union of India; Gaurav Jain v. Union of India