Home  /  Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015  /  Section 48

Section 48: Special homes

Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 • Official Statutory Text & Practice Guide

Statutory Regulation
Legal Standard
Competent Court / Tribunal
Act 2015
Section 47 All 112 Sections of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 Section 49

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 48

Section 48 of the Act provides for the establishment and maintenance of Special Homes in every district or group of districts for the long-term reception, reform, and rehabilitation of children in conflict with law committed by the Board.

  • Reformative Long-Term Institutional Mandate: Provides for the housing of children found to have committed serious or heinous offenses who require structured institutional rehabilitation for periods up to three years.
  • Vocational Training & Educational Rehabilitation: Mandates accredited vocational certification (e.g., electricals, IT, carpentry) and formal schooling to equip children for law-abiding adult employment.
  • Graduated Behavioral Reintegration: Provides for progressive privileges, family visits, and supervised community leaves to facilitate gradual social reintegration.
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • Sampurna Behura v. Union of India (2018) 4 SCC 433: Supreme Court affirmed that Special Homes are reformative centers designed to heal and transform troubled adolescents through intensive psychological casework.
  • Barun Chandra Thakur v. Master Bholu (2022) SCC OnLine SC 870: Supreme Court highlighted that Special Homes must prioritize mental health rehabilitation over punitive isolation.
  • Hari Ram v. State of Rajasthan (2009) 13 SCC 211: Affirmed that maximum commitment to a Special Home cannot exceed three years, after which the child must be reintegrated.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

When the Board commits a child to a Special Home under Section 18, monitor the rehabilitation plan: file an application for early release under Section 97 upon demonstrating exemplary vocational and educational progress after one year.

Section 47 All 112 Sections of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 Section 49