September 12, 2026

Section 16 – Juvenile Justice Act: Review of Pendency of Inquiry

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 — back to Table of Contents

Section 16. Review of pendency of inquiry.

(1) The Chief Judicial Magistrate or the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate shall review the pendency of cases of the Board once in every three months, and shall direct the Board to increase the frequency of its sittings or may recommend the constitution of additional Boards.

(2) The number of cases pending before the Board, duration of such pendency, nature of pendency and reasons thereof shall be reviewed in every six months by a high level committee consisting of the Executive Chairperson of the State Legal Services Authority, who shall be the Chairperson, the Home Secretary, the Secretary responsible for the implementation of this Act in the State and a representative from a voluntary or non-governmental organisation to be nominated by the Chairperson.

(3) The information of such pendency shall also be furnished by the Board to the Chief Judicial Magistrate or the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate and the District Magistrate on quarterly basis in such form as may be prescribed by the State Government.

(4) The District Magistrate may, as and when required, in the best interest of a child, call for any information from all the stakeholders including the Board and the Committee.

Continue with Section 17 — Orders regarding a child not found to be in conflict with law, or return to the Table of Contents.