16-18 year old to be tried as adults in heinous crimes

yinka ogunlami

December 22, 2015 7:53 PM

Today in India, juveniles between the ages of 16-18 years are now to be tried as adults for heinous crimes like murder or rape, following the bill passed by the Indian Parliament.

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Minister of Women and Child Abuse Development, Maneka Gandhi introduced this Bill on August 12, 2014. The Bill was later referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resource Development and then submitted in February 2015.

There was a delay in passing the bill but due to a protest which ensued after the recent release of a convicted juvenile, the Supreme Court attempted a quick passage of the bill. This juvenile was involved in a Delhi gang rape case in 2012. The convict, who had been in detention was recently released leading to an uproar amongst people and parents of the victim who felt otherwise.

The juvenile bill, passed through voice note has been sent to the President and awaits consent.

Authorities are saying the rate of juvenile crimes has escalated since last year with a 38, 565 cases. Many of these cases include murders, rapes and acid attacks.

Maneka Gandhi is thankful to all parties for supporting the bill.

yinka ogunlami