Himachal Pradesh faces substantial problems with juvenile delinquency but the implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children Act), 2000 [hereinafter referred to as JJ(C&PC)] remains very poor. According to the data of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Himachal Pradesh registered 159 cases of juvenile delinquency under the Indian Penal Code in 2010, 127 cases in 2009, 122 cases in 2008, 118 cases in 2007, 102 cases in 2006, and 136 cases in 2005. In addition, under the Special and Local Laws, nine cases were registered against juveniles in 2010, eight cases in 2009, one case in 2008, nil in 2007, five case in 2006 and nine cases in 2005.
The NCRB further states that a total of 170 juveniles were arrested and produced before the Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) during 2009, of which 48 were sent home after advice or admonition, 33 were released on probation and placed under the care of parents/guardians, five juveniles were sent to the Special Home while the cases of 84 juveniles were pending disposal. Similarly, during 2010, a total of 218 juveniles were arrested and produced before the JJBs. Of them, 43 were sent home after advice or admonition, 74 were released on probation and placed under the care of parents/guardians, and 13 juveniles were sent to the Special Home while the cases of 88 juveniles were pending disposal 3 by the end of 2010.
The administration of juvenile justice remains deplorable in the State.
