TNN | Apr 16, 2014, 12.05 AM IST

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Tuesday asked Delhi Police to set up a special unit to tackle safety and security situations at juvenile observation homes.

A bench of judges S Ravindra Bhat and R V Easwar directed the police to "assess and put in place a mechanism" which would be "more in the nature of a special cell to cater not only to the emergent situations but also shoulder other responsibilities".

It did not concur with the proposal of Delhi Police, represented by additional solicitor general Siddharth Luthra, that the command room, headed by an ACP, is equipped to tackle the situations arising at observation homes. "It has not worked. We have had six-seven incidents. Three of them were very violent," the bench said, adding "eventually, there has to be a separate unit to take care of such situations. We are not looking at emergencies only".

The women and child development department had requested the Delhi Police commissioner to designate a nodal officer to coordinate with the department on issues relating to safety and security of observation homes. It had also said a separate cell was required to be set up under the department.

Delhi Police, however, said "the demand …would not be able to serve the purpose as they would not be present round-the-clock in case of any emergency".

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Cops-told-to-form-special-unit-for-juvenile-homes/articleshow/33791656.cms