Division Bench of the Hon’ble High Court comprising Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Anita Sumanth and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sundar Mohan heard Criminal Appeal No. 25 of 2023 today, which concerns the formulation of a Guiding Framework for the Welfare of Child Witnesses in Criminal Cases. The proposed framework has been prepared by the Government of Tamil Nadu pursuant to a series of directions issued by the Division Bench during the course of the present criminal appeal.
Hon’ble Madras High Court Hearing on Draft Framework for Welfare of Child Witnesses
A Division Bench of the Hon’ble High Court comprising Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Anita Sumanth and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sundar Mohan heard Criminal Appeal No. 25 of 2023 today, which concerns the formulation of a Guiding Framework for the Welfare of Child Witnesses in Criminal Cases.
The proposed framework has been prepared by the Government of Tamil Nadu pursuant to a series of directions issued by the Division Bench during the course of the present criminal appeal.
When the matter was taken up on 04.06.2026, the State informed the Court that the draft framework had been prepared and was awaiting approval through the issuance of a formal notification.
Taking note of the submission, the Division Bench directed the Government to upload the draft framework on the Child Protection Information Management and Monitoring System (CPIMS) (CPIMS) website to facilitate public consultation. The Court further directed that comments and objections be invited from members of the public, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and other stakeholders.
Pursuant to the said direction, today, Tulir NGO, represented by Mrs. Vidya Reddy, appeared before the Division Bench and made submissions regarding the draft framework. Suggestions were also placed before the Court for consideration in relation to the proposed guidelines. Mr. Abudu Kumar Rajaratnam, Senior Advocate appeared on behalf of Mrs. Vijayalakshmi K Rajaratnam, Legal Aid Counsel for the appellant, and assisted the Court during the proceedings.
Following the submissions, the Hon’ble Division Bench directed that representatives of the NGO, the counsel for the appellant, and the concerned Government officials convene a meeting to deliberate upon the draft framework and the suggestions.
Hon’ble Madras High Court Hearing on Draft Framework for Welfare of Child Witnesses
A Division Bench of the Hon’ble High Court comprising Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Anita Sumanth and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sundar Mohan heard Criminal Appeal No. 25 of 2023 today, which concerns the formulation of a Guiding Framework for the Welfare of Child Witnesses in Criminal Cases.
The proposed framework has been prepared by the Government of Tamil Nadu pursuant to a series of directions issued by the Division Bench during the course of the present criminal appeal.
When the matter was taken up on 04.06.2026, the State informed the Court that the draft framework had been prepared and was awaiting approval through the issuance of a formal notification.
Taking note of the submission, the Division Bench directed the Government to upload the draft framework on the Child Protection Information Management and Monitoring System (CPIMS) (CPIMS) website to facilitate public consultation. The Court further directed that comments and objections be invited from members of the public, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and other stakeholders.
Pursuant to the said direction, today, Tulir NGO, represented by Mrs. Vidya Reddy, appeared before the Division Bench and made submissions regarding the draft framework. Suggestions were also placed before the Court for consideration in relation to the proposed guidelines. Mr. Abudu Kumar Rajaratnam, Senior Advocate appeared on behalf of Mrs. Vijayalakshmi K Rajaratnam, Legal Aid Counsel for the appellant, and assisted the Court during the proceedings.
Following the submissions, the Hon’ble Division Bench directed that representatives of the NGO, the counsel for the appellant, and the concerned Government officials convene a meeting to deliberate upon the draft framework and the suggestions. And case posted July 14 th day
