Report No. 263

Chapter VIII
Miscellaneous

28. (1) The judicial or administrative authorities of Contracting States shall act expeditiously in proceedings for the return of children.

(2) If the judicial or administrative authority concerned has not reached a decision within six weeks from the date of commencement of the proceedings, the applicant or the Central Authority of the requested State, on its own initiative or if asked by the Central Authority of the requesting State, shall have the right to request a statement of the reasons for the delay. If a reply is received by the Central Authority of the requested State, that Authority shall transmit the reply to the Central Authority of the requesting State, or to the applicant, as the case may be.

29. The Central Authority shall submit an annual report to the Central Government through the Ministry of Women and Child Development in such form as may be prescribed.

(clauses 29 & 33 made by WCD - has been merged in clause 31 prepared by the Commission)

(32. No such provision made by WCD)

30. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Central Government, Central Authority or any member thereof or any person acting under the direction of the Central Authority, in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or of any rules made thereunder.

31. Every member of the Central Authority and every officer appointed in the Central Authority to exercise functions under this Act shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.

32. (1) In the discharge of its functions under this Act, the Central Authority shall be guided by such directions on question of policy relating to national interest, as may be given to it by the Central Government.

(2) If any dispute arises between the Central Government and the Central Authority as to whether a question is or is not a question of policy relating to national purposes, the decision of the Central Government thereon shall be final.

33. The Central Authority shall furnish to the Central Government, such returns or other information with respect to its activities as the Central Government may from time to time require.

34. (1) The Central Government may, by notification, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-

(a) Form of application to Central Authority for assistance in securing the return of a child that has been wrongfully removed to or retained in India

(b) Form of application to Central Authority for assistance in securing the return of a child that has been wrongfully removed to or retained outside India

(c) Procedure for appointment of Chairman and Members of Central Authority/recruitment of staff of Central Authority

(d) Procedure in case of refusal to accept an application by Central Authority under Section 7

(3) Every rule made under this Act (Sub-section (1))shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.

35. (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as may appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removal of the difficulty:

Provided that no order shall be made under this Section after the expiry of a period of two years from the commencement of this Act.

(2) Every order made under this Section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament.