Cabinet approves amendment in Juvenile Act

 

The union cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the amendment of Juvenile act, reducing the juvenile age from 18 years to 16 thus considering the juveniles as adults, who involved heinous crimes like Nirbhaya case. The amended juvenile act will empower the Juvenile Justice Boards to take convict the juveniles with appropriate punishments.

 

The latest amendments also give more clarity on procedures and strengthening corrective measures for offences committed against children. The amendment also adds a new list of offences like physical harassment of children, ragging, peddling, carrying, supplying or smuggling of any intoxicating liquor, narcotic drug or psychotropic substance to the existing juvenile act. It also makes it mandatory for all the child care organizations to register with appropriate government authority, otherwise will be heavily penalized.