CHANDIGARH, India: The state of Punjab has admitted having detained 21 children in different jails in Punjab in its reply filed in the court of Justice Pritpal Singh of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Balwinder Singh Bhunder had filed a: writ petition of Habears Court claiming that a number of children were illegally detained in Punjab jails. He had alleged that Sunit Singh” Barnala had failed: to perform his statutory obligation as he has become a puppet in the, hands of police.

Mr. Barnala in his reply to the petition refuted allegations of malafide against him alleging that the same were wrong and motivated. He stated that he had now given directions to the Financial Commissioner Home to check up the case and ensure that there is no violation of East Punjab Children’s Act, 1960. Mr. K.TS. Tulsi who appeared on behalf of R.S. Gill requested’ the court to give direction to the state to produce full and complete particulars of all the children detained in every jail.

Justice Pritpal Singh agreed with the contention of the petitioner counsel’s and’ directed the State to produce all the particulars and asked ‘them to show as to how it had disregarded the directions of the Supreme court given in Shirla Bhaskar’s case. The case will now come up on March 17 for further orders.

Article extracted from this publication >>  March 13, 1987