HC: Make all Family Court Complexes Child Friendly akin to POCSO Courts

 

The Kerala High Court has suggested to make child-friendly rooms in Family Courts akin to the POCSO Courts.

 

The Division Bench of Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice C.S Dias in this view sought a report from the Registrar as to the number of POCSO Courts functioning in the near vicinity of the Family Courts in the State and to explore the possibility of dedicating a separate room in all the Family Courts to facilitate the handing over of the children, and for the parents to exercise their interim custody and visitation rights.

An Advocate who was an activce practitioner before the Family Courts, pointed out that there are pathetic condition prevailing in the Family Courts functioning in the State.

 

The Court remarked that it is known matter that most of the Family Courts are functioning in leased premises without adequate infrastructure and facilities. It mentioned the lack of a single waiting room for the children who are brought to the Courts for providing access, visitation rights and interim custody to their parents.

The Court also pointed out that in a few Family Courts, the children and the parties are seen standing in jam-packed corridors and even on the roads for the whole day.  

"The congested Courts and the over-crowded premises, in fact, stares at the young minds, who develop negative notions regarding the justice delivery system in the Country", the Court expressed concern adding that on the other hand, there are dedicated places in the POCSO Courts in the State, where the surroundings are made conducive in the best interest of children.

It also took the opportunity to complain about Family Courts not not following the directions issued by the Court pertaining to the speedy disposal of the Interlocutory Applications in a time bound manner.

The Court therefore asked the Registrar (District Judiciary) to inform all the Presiding Officers of the Family Courts to strictly follow the directions issued by this Court, and to dispose of the Interlocutory Applications filed in all cases in a time bound manner.

 

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(With input from news agency language)

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