Legal awareness essential to shape children’s future: Judge S. Sunil Dutt Yadav
S. Sunil Dutt Yadav, Karnataka High Court judge, chairman of the Juvenile Justice Committee (JJC), and POCSO Committee judge, has said that as children are
S. Sunil Dutt Yadav, Karnataka High Court judge, chairman of the Juvenile Justice Committee (JJC), and POCSO Committee judge, has said that as children are the greatest strength of a nation, every child deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. He added that creating awareness among them about their rights and the law is essential for building a secure and brighter future. He was inaugurating a training programme for support persons organised by Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, District Legal Services Authority, district administration, Directorate of Child Protection, and Nyaaya (NGO) in Dharwad on Monday (July 27).
Yadav stressed that in cases involving children, women, victims of sexual offences, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable witnesses, support persons must ensure the protection of victims’ dignity, rights, and confidentiality throughout the legal process. Directorate of Child Protection director Sneha C.V. said that cases involving pregnancies among children aged 15 and 16 required comprehensive and impartial investigations and strict legal action against offenders would help in preventing recurrence of such incidents.
She also emphasised on the need for providing adequate support to safeguard the child’s future and allowing authorities to conduct proper investigations. Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar said that protecting children’s rights and ensuring their safety was responsibility of the whole society, not just the police. He called upon everyone to remain vigilant against child sexual abuse and work collectively to ensure the protection and well-being of children. Karnataka High Court judge H.T. Narendra Prasad also spoke.
District Legal Services Authority chairman and Principal District and Sessions judge N.V. Vijay welcomed the gathering. Karnataka State Legal Services Authority Secretary H. Shashidhar Shetty, District Child Protection Officer Deepa Javoor, senior judges, advocates, support persons and other officials were present.
The BriefWire