By team abhyaspeeth 
Abhyspeeth Desk
Mumbai : Raising a strong voice for student safety, the Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to finalize and implement comprehensive child safety norms across all schools within the next seven days. The directive came during a hearing of a public interest litigation that highlighted growing concerns over child abuse and lapses in school safety mechanisms.
A division bench headed by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor made it clear that child safety cannot be compromised. The judges expressed disappointment over delays in finalizing clear guidelines and said that the state must act swiftly and responsibly.
As per the court’s directive, the new safety rules must include regular visits by trained counselors, installation and functioning of CCTV cameras in vulnerable areas, proper staff verification processes, and a well-defined complaint redressal system. Schools will also be required to set up Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) to deal with any reports of misconduct involving children.
The court also stressed on the importance of providing proper funding to schools to implement these measures effectively. It has asked the Education Department to work closely with the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and local police authorities while finalizing the policy.
Education experts and child rights activists across the state have welcomed the court’s stand, calling it a much-needed step toward ensuring a safe and secure environment for students. They also emphasized the importance of consistent monitoring and on-ground implementation.