Guwahati: Protecting children from detention alongside adult prisoners is at the centre of a Gauhati High Court directive requiring Juvenile Justice Boards across Assam to inspect adult jails by October 31, 2026.
During these visits, the boards must determine whether any children are being held in the facilities. Any child identified must be moved to an appropriate home in accordance with the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
The court issued the directions while considering a public interest litigation seeking regular inspections of adult prisons by the boards. A division bench of Justice Michael Zothankhuma and Justice Rajesh Mazumdar also called for inspections to continue regularly, preferably every three months.
Each board must send its October inspection report to the secretary of the respective District Legal Services Authority. These reports will then be forwarded to the Member Secretary of the Assam State Legal Services Authority.
Reports from subsequent visits must also reach the district legal services authorities concerned, providing continued oversight of whether children are being held in adult custody.
