Chief Justice urges anonymity for children in conflict with law
Chief Justice Surya Kant called for the names of children in conflict with the law to be removed from media and online platforms, emphasizing that the term describes a circumstance, not an identity.
At the inaugural session of a national consultation marking ten years of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, Chief Justice Surya Kant stressed that the phrase "child in conflict with law" refers to a temporary situation, not a permanent label. He argued that publishing names allows past offenses to shadow a child's future and called for systematic deletion of such records. Kant pointed out that most affected youths come from disrupted schooling, strained families, and poverty, often transitioning from needing care to facing the law.
He criticized the uneven availability of legal aid, noting that many Juvenile Justice Boards lack on-site clinics and dedicated defence counsel. The chief justice also urged coordinated training for police, judges, and psychologists to address the underlying circumstances of each case. Justice B V Nagarathna added that the Act aims to prioritize rehabilitation over retribution and cited a 2025 study showing significant case backlogs across states.
Why it matters
Protecting minors' identities helps prevent lifelong stigma and supports their reintegration into society.
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