NLU Jodhpur Hosts 2nd Stakeholders' Summit on Juvenile Justice: Experts Call for Strengthening Rehabilitative Frameworks

The Summit brought together a diverse group of participants, including members of Juvenile Justice Boards, Child Care Institutions, para-legal volunteers, advocates, DLSA partners, NGO workers, and students and researchers to deliberate on strengthening the country's juvenile justice architecture.

The proceedings began with a welcome address by Prof. (Dr) Manoj Kumar Singh, Dean, Academics, followed by the release of a Draft Policy Proposal for Probation & Aftercare mechanisms by Dr. Anjali Thanvi, Chairperson, LAAC. Adv. Muktesh Maheshwari delivered the keynote address and traced the evolution of the Juvenile Justice framework and highlighted the challenges in its on-ground implementation.

The thematic discussions featured Dr. Mohua Nigudkar (Assistant Professor at TISS, Mumbai), who emphasized the importance of rehabilitation and reintegration of children in conflict with law; Dr. K.P. Asha Mukundan, (Associate Professor at TISS, Mumbai), who reflected on the statutory and practical roles of Probation Officers; Dr. Rama Devi, (Member, Child Welfare Committee, Ranga Reddy District, Telangana), who underscored vocational training and education as tools against recidivism; and Mr. Ajay Sharma, who shared insights from his NGO, Prayas JAC Society, on the multidimensional realities of juvenile justice.

A key highlight of the Summit was the Policy Brief Discussion, centered on the Draft Policy Report on Probation Officers & Aftercare Mechanisms, prepared by LAAC students under faculty guidance. The final version, incorporating the suggestions of the summit's speakers, will be submitted to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Department of Justice, and other relevant authorities.

The day concluded with a Capacity Building Workshop, where Dr. Asha Mukundan spoke on the need for a rehabilitative mindset within the system, and Mr. Govind Beniwal (Child Protection Officer, UNICEF India) addressed issues concerning child victims and the need for robust support services. Mr. Ashutosh Srivastava (State Consultant, UNICEF India) delivered the closing address, calling upon all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards a more humane and effective juvenile justice system.

The Summit was marked by active engagement, nuanced discussion, and a shared commitment to reform. It reaffirmed NLU Jodhpur's and LAAC's vision of bridging academic insight with institutional policy action to promote child rights and restorative justice in India.