Children of conflict: an analysis of the Jammu and Kashmir Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2013

Abstract

ABSTRACT Due to a long history of conflict in the state of J&K, children have fallen prey to the defective law and order machinery. Through this essay, the author aims to critically study the J&K Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2013 (‘J&K JJ Act, 2013ʹ). Part I analyses the shortcomings in the text of the law itself. Part II focuses on the implementation of the law on the ground. Due to the non-implementation of the Juvenile Justice System, children have become victims of illegal detentions in jails, torture, physical and mental ailments. Lastly, Part III makes a comparison between the State law and the Central law on the matter. Considering the compelling arguments drawn in Part II and III of the essay, the conclusion points out the need for proper implementation of the JJ Act, 2013 and its remodelling, in certain matters, on the Central legislation.