Hearing a petition by Ullas, a social worker, who had moved the High Court seeking prevention of child abuse and stricter implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act (JJ Act), a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice A S Bopanna said: “We will grant you liberty to independently access children and record statements. You will be allowed to record statements before the magistrate under Section 164 of the JJ Act. We will also provide you any assistance you require. Will you take up the cause of children?”

Earlier, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that atrocities against children were rampant. Though there was a provision in the Act to ensure their reform, not much was being done in this direction.

The matter was adjourned.

Restore Mysore park

The High Court has directed the Mysore City Corporation to stop the construction activities at a park near Yadavgiri and restore it as a lung space.

The petitioners A Ramanna and others had moved the High Court challenging the construction of houses for a few slum dwellers at a park connecting Akashvani Circle and Sayyaji Rao Road.

They submitted that the Mysore City Corporation authorities had begun construction activities on more than two acres of land.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice A S Bopanna directed to clear the construction by September 30 and restore the park by December 31.