The High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday directed the State government to issue standard operating procedures (SOPs), within three months, to conduct investigation into cases of child pornography and missing children, while issuing a series of directions on enforcing laws related to the care, the protection, and the rights of children. Noticing the insensitive manner in which a report of the Union government on child pornography was dealt with by the police recently, the Bench also said that SOPs should specify guidelines for investigating complaints related to child pornography. ‘To guide police’The Bench said that SOPs should be formulated to ensure that the Special Juvenile Police Unit, the Child Welfare Police Officer and the Child Protection Unit discharge their duties and to guide the police unit to conduct proper investigation, including in the cases of missing children, as per the law. InspectionThe government has also been directed to ensure that CWCs conduct inspection of residential child institutions and provide a dedicated staff at the directorate of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme. If not, the commission will have to be directed to submit reports, the Bench added.

Source: The Hindu July 22, 2020 18:00 UTC