From protection to accountability a critical analysis of juvenile justice system in india with special reference to the state of Karnataka

Abstract

The thesis is mainly a critical study of the juvenile justice system in India i.e law relating to children in conflict with law. In particular, the researcher critically analyses the law relating to children in conflict with law by applying the core components of a comprehensive juvenile justice policy as indicated by United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCtRC) i.e prevention of juvenile delinquency, intervention in the context of judicial proceedings, age of criminal responsibility, guarantees for fair trial, depravation of liberty including pre-trial detention and post trial incarceration. An attempt is also made to explore and understand the mechanisms that exist in India to ensure the accountability of all the key actors dealing with children in conflict with law. For this purpose, the researcher has empirically studied each of the components dealing with CCL i.e Police, Juvenile Justice Board, Observation Home, Special Homes etc. The empirical study covers three districts of Karnataka- Bangalore (Urban), Udupi and Dharwad. The researcher has also explored juvenile justice practices in UK (England), USA, Canada and Norway to discover good and contemporary practices which may provide beneficial insights and which could be implemented in the Indian juvenile justice system. newline