New Delhi: Days after Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi called for treating juveniles accused of heinous crimes like rape on par with adult offenders, the Supreme Court too has urged for a more stringent Juvenile Justice Act. The Apex Court said, you can’t have a cut-off date for crime like you have for government jobs.
The reaction from the apex court holds significance in the wake of concerns expressed by Gandhi and her UPA predecessor Krishna Tirath, who had also proposed that juveniles above 16 years guilty of heinous crimes be treated on par with adult offenders.
Maneka Gandhi triggered a fresh debate when she said, “50 per cent of all sexual crimes were committed by 16-year-old who are fully aware about the Juvenile Justice Act so they can do it. Gandhi also said that she would bring changes in the law and the process would be personally monitored by her.
Justice Verma Committee, which was formed after the 2012 Delhi gang-rape, also recommended amending the criminal justice act. According to its reports, the age ceiling of 18 must be maintained as the aim of the Juvenile Justice Act is to reform the child offender.
Bureau Report
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