HYDERABAD: Arun (name changed), a 15-year-old juvenile-in-conflict with the law had arrived at the Juvenile Court in Nampally for his hearing. He was awaiting the judgement in a case of burglary he allegedly attempted. However, when his turn came for the trial, he was not to be found in the waiting area. Advocates and other staffers discovered Arun at the Court’s entrance, lying on the floor drunk and passed out. He was under the influence of alcohol, which he purchased from the liquor shop just beside the Juvenile Court.
It is common for juvenile boys who come for their hearing at the Juvenile Court at Nampally to be seen lying on the floor in a drunken state. There are also instances where some of them were spotted passed out in their own vomit.
Easy access to liquor, for these boys, who largely come with a history of alcoholism is the reason this happens often, say those associated with courts. As one enters the Court’s premises, the smell of alcohol from the permit room engulfs the air.
The court which is situated in the second floor, right opposite Abkari Bhavan in Nampally, currently has around 300 cases of juveniles-in-conflict-with-law, yet to be disposed off. While some are awaiting their dates for hearing, some are waiting for a judgement in crimes ranging from simple theft to rape and murder.
The juveniles who come to the court have to wait for their case to be taken up. Most often these juveniles are unaccompanied by parents or guardians as they cannot afford to lose a day’s wage. The liquor store located right below the court is easily accessible, informed a source who works closely with juveniles. They have their ways to buy their share and guzzle up, added the source.
However, with the court being in such a dismal state, most part of this special act lies defeated. Besides the proximity of a liquor shop, the infrastructure inside the court is not up to the mark. Counselling the juveniles, which is the most important part of this Act takes a back seat as there is no exclusive space dedicated for this, informed an advocate who works with the juveniles.
The advocate said that over the last few months, there has been an increase in under-age drunken driving cases. Complaints regarding the matter of shifting the court and making it more child-friendly have been submitted to the High Court.
This has been going on since 2012, and the officials have been told that they will soon be shifted. However, those working with these children in this court are wary.
“The safety and security in the new place is still a question. These children have varied states of mind and we need to make the space as welcoming and pleasant as possible,” pointed out the advocate.