People across the country rejoiced as the Rajya Sabha passed the Juvenile Justice Bill against the backdrop of uproar over the release of the juvenile convict in the 2012 Delhi gangrape case. The Bill will ensure that from now onwards, 16 year-olds involved in heinous crimes will be prosecuted as adults.
The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2015, provides for the trial of those between 16-18 years as adults for heinous offences. Also, anyone between the age of 16-18 who commits a less serious offence may be tried as an adult if he is apprehended after he attains the age of 21. Women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi who had moved the Bill said, “I'm happy that everyone supported the Juvenile Justice Bill and want to thank everyone.” She said juvenile crime is the fastest rising segment of crime. “You cannot have a more comprehensive, more nuanced and compassionate Bill,” she said. She also reminded the Congress that the Bill was theirs and not hers or the NDA government's. “We may not be able to do anything about the juvenile convict in the Nirbhaya case but we can deter many other boys,” she said.
“I am satisfied, but sad that my daughter couldn't get justice,” the gangrape victim's mother said. “Juvenile Justice Bill which has been passed in RS is a tribute to our daughter,” her father said. The juvenile convict was released from the correctional home on Sunday after completing his sentence, amid protests by the parents of the victim and others in the national capital.
