(1) THIS application under Article 32 of the Constitution has asked for release of children below the age of 18 years detained in jails within different States of the country, production of complete information of children in jails, information as to the existence of juvenile courts, homes and schools and for a direction that the District Judges should visit jails or sub-jails within their jurisdiction to ensure that children are properly looked after when in custody as also for a direction to the State Legal Aid Boards to appoint duty counsel to ensure availability of legal protection for children as and when they are involved in criminal cases and are proceeded against. The Union of India and all the States and Union Territories have been impleaded as respondents.

(2) ON 24/09/1985, notice was directed to all the respondents. A few of the respondent-States filed counter-affidavits in response to the notice. The matter was adjourned on 31/03/1986, to 15/04/1986, to enable the respondents who had not yet filed their affidavits to file such affidavits. On 15/04/1986, after hearing counsel who appeared for the parties this court pointed out :

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