Book on Juvenile Justice Board Procedures released; Retd, Judge Imomacha highlight key legal gaps in age definition

A critical gap in the legal interpretation of a “child” under Indian laws came under focus during the release of a new handbook titled “How to Draft Orders of Juvenile Justice Board” held at the Conference Hall of the Social Welfare Department, Government of Manipur, in Imphal today.
Speaking at the function, retired District and Sessions Judge Salam Imomacha pointed out a legal inconsistency in the definition of a child under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act. “While the POCSO Act defines a child as anyone below 18 years of age, the Juvenile Justice Act defines a child as a person who has not completed 18 years. The wording, although subtle, can lead to varying interpretations in practice,” he said.
Referring to his own experience in juvenile cases, Judge Imomacha stated that in the context of the Juvenile Justice Act, he considers 17 years to be the cut-off for identifying a child in conflict with law. He added that the newly released handbook, authored by Athokpam Chinglemba Luwang, would serve as a useful guide for members of the Juvenile Justice Board, most of whom come from diverse professional backgrounds with little or no legal training.
Chairperson of the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR), Keisham Pradipkumar, also lauded the publication, describing it as a much-needed manual for JJ Board members across the state. “This book will serve as a guiding framework. The purpose of the Juvenile Justice Board is not to punish, but to rehabilitate children in conflict with law and reintegrate them into society with hope for a better future,” he stated.
Pradipkumar also voiced concern over the lack of awareness surrounding child rights in Manipur. “Despite statutory requirements, many well-established schools in the state still do not appoint counsellors. Creating awareness about child protection and rights remains a major challenge,” he said. Tracing the history of the child rights movement from its beginnings in 1924 to further developments in 1959, he noted that even the term “juvenile” itself may need reconsideration due to its potential discriminatory implications.
Director of the Social Welfare Department, Anna Arambam, IAS, applauded the author’s contribution and said that the handbook could benefit not only JJ Board members but also District Magistrates and civil servants who often come from non-legal backgrounds. “A practical manual like this will ease the process and enhance the quality of decision-making in juvenile justice matters,” she said.
Author Athokpam Chinglemba Luwang, who does not come from a judicial background, has been actively involved in juvenile justice work and child rights advocacy. With this release, he has now authored three books, all focused on legal and social issues related to children.