HC pulls up Maharashtra govt over child welfare gaps after suo motu PIL, sets June 30 deadline for key appointments

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Bombay high court’s Aurangabad bench has pulled up Maharashtra govt over gaps in child protection systems, directing it to complete key appointments under juvenile justice bodies by June 30, 2026, and file fresh affidavits on unresolved issues.

Hearing a suo motu public interest litigation on child protection, a division bench of Justice Vibha Kankanwadi and Justice Ajit Kadethankar noted that though some progress had been made, several earlier directions were still only partly complied with.

The high court took on record affidavits from the women and child development department and the police, stating that a three-member committee had prepared a training curriculum and handbook for Special Juvenile Police Units (SJPU) and Child Welfare Police Officers (CWPO). The programme, approved on April 21, 2026, has been sent to the home department.

However, the HC found the proposed six-day training inadequate. It observed that the Juvenile Justice Act and related subjects could not be meaningfully covered in such a short duration and suggested extending it to at least 10 days. It also observed that topics such as the Pocso Act, missing children protocols and anti-human trafficking be taught in separate sessions, stressing that training must have any real impact and not become “a mere ritualistic exercise”. The state has been asked to respond to these suggestions through an affidavit.

Amicus curiae senior advocate P R Katneshwarkar and advocate Ganesh Gadhe told the court that several issues still persist, including vacancies in the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, incomplete staffing in child protection bodies, delays in appointments to Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees, and non-publication of annual reports beyond 2023-24.

They also flagged lack of action against unregistered childcare institutions, poor awareness of the Vatsalya portal, and absence of social audits despite over 4,170 rehabilitation cards being issued.

The HC noted that the state’s reply did not clearly show whether Child Welfare Committees in districts were holding the mandated minimum 20 meetings per month. It sought clarity on the creation and filling of protection officer posts under the Juvenile Justice Act.

Taking note of assurances, the court directed that appointments of chairpersons and members of Child Welfare Committees and Juvenile Justice Boards be completed by June 30. It also ordered that vacancies of District Child Protection Officers be filled within the same deadline.

In another significant direction, the bench directed the HC registrar general to circulate a statewide list of SJPU and CWPO officers to courts, Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees so authorities can verify whether child-related cases are being handled by designated officers.

The state has been asked to file further affidavits on vacancies in the state child rights commission and protection officer posts by July 2. The matter will be heard next on July 9.