This Kasna Jail case from Uttar Pradesh is honestly very disturbing,because we are talking about 16-year-old juvenile allegedly kept with adult prisoners for almost two months . Not small thing ah,especially when whole juvenile justice system is supposed to treat minors differently.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has now taken suo motu cognisance of matter on June 19 . Commission has asked for detailed report from Uttar Pradesh Director General of Prisons Administration and Director General of Police within two-week timeframe.
As per reports,the juvenile was apprehended on April 14 after violent protests by factory workers in Noida . These protests were over demand for higher wages and improved working conditions,and situation had escalated on April 13 .
And then comes uncomfortable part . Instead of being handled like minor,he was allegedly kept in Kasna Jail with adult prisoners for nearly two months . Later,he was moved to juvenile home on June 12 and released on bail on June 18 .
Few things standing out clearly here:
- NHRC intervention came after reports of illegal confinement of 16-year-old juvenile in Kasna Jail,Uttar Pradesh.
- Juvenile's release on bail happened on June 18,after nearly two months in jail.
- Spot inquiry has been ordered by NHRC to look into treatment of juvenile.
But matter has not stopped there only . Campaign for the Release of Workers and Activists of Noida (CaRWAN) has now made serious allegations after NHRC's order.
According to CaRWAN,U.P. Police visited juvenile's home after NHRC intervention and allegedly pressured him and his family into making statements about his arrest . Reports also suggest police coerced juvenile into signing documents that falsely implicated him in criminal activities.
And tbh,this is where case becomes even more worrying . If minor was wrongly kept with adults,and then family was allegedly pressured later,then question is not just about one mistake,but about whole way system treats young people stuck inside legal process.
NHRC asking for report is one step,but what actually happened between April 14,June 12 and June 18 needs proper answers . Because if 16-year-old can disappear into adult jail setup for almost two months,then how many such cases are going unnoticed…
