‘In Light of COVID-19 Magistrates Should Not Demand Physical Presence of Juveniles for Recording Statements’, Delhi HC Issues Notice in Plea Moved By Bachpan Bachao Andolan

Delhi High Court has issued notice in a plea asking the court to direct that the statements under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code of ‘children in need of care and protection’ shall be recorded by the Magistrate through video conferencing, and the physical presence of the children for the same shall be dispensed with. The Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan has issued notices to the Delhi Government, Commissioner of Delhi Police, among others, and have asked them to file a reply within a week. Filed by Bachpan Bachao Andolan, the present writ petition seeks a direction to be issued to the Delhi Government and the Commissioner of Delhi Police to ensure that all proceedings by different authorities under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, shall be conducted through video conferencing to keep the children safe from contracting the COVID19 infection.