Justice BV Nagarathna Flags Implementation Gaps In Juvenile Justice Law
· India · Hindustan Times, Live Law
Supreme Court judge Justice BV Nagarathna stated that treating children in conflict with law as adults remains one of the most delicate fault lines in the criminal justice system. Speaking at a national consultation in New Delhi, she noted that while the Juvenile Justice Act is largely clear on paper, the real challenge lies in its implementation. Citing the India Justice Report from November 2025, she pointed out that 55% of cases before Juvenile Justice Boards across 18 states and two Union Territories were pending as of October 2023. More than 55,000 children were awaiting decisions during that period, while 111 of 470 responding boards functioned without a full complement of members. She questioned whether Juvenile Justice Boards consistently apply Section 15 assessments with proper sensitivity and expertise.
Why it matters
The delays and staffing shortages in Juvenile Justice Boards directly affect thousands of vulnerable children awaiting legal resolution and rehabilitation.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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