Justice Nagarathna flags gaps in implementation of Juvenile Justice Act at National Annual Stakeholders Consultation
Supreme Court Justice B.V. Nagarathna has criticized the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act, citing high case pendency and inadequate infrastructure. She emphasized that the system must prioritize rehabilitation over mere case disposal.
Why it matters
The critique highlights systemic failures in the Indian judicial system regarding the protection and rehabilitation of vulnerable children.
Supreme Court judge Justice B.V. Nagarathna on Saturday (October 10, 2026) called for better implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and said the focus must remain on the care, rehabilitation and reintegration of children.
Speaking at the National Annual Stakeholders Consultation on ten years of the Act at the Supreme Court titled “Ten Years of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: Progress, Challenges and Priorities for the Next Decade”, she raised concerns about the functioning of Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees, access to legal aid and delays in deciding cases.
“The challenge lies in its implementation,” she said.
Justice Nagarathna cited a November 2025 study by the India Justice Report , which found that 55% of cases before Juvenile Justice Boards across 18 States and two Union Territories were pending. More than 55,000 children were awaiting decisions.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in