President Pranab signs Juvenile Act

President Pranab Mukherjee has signed the Juvenile Justice Act-2015 that was approved by parliament recently. Government has amended this Act for reducing the juveniles’ age limit from present 18 to 16 years keeping in view of increasing crime rate by this age group. Hence, juveniles of this age group will be treated and punished like any elder criminals, if found guilty. This amended Juvenile Justice Act-2015 will come into effect once the gazette notification is issued by the government.

The juvenile offender in Nirbhaya case is very fortunate to escape with mere three years detention in the reform house. Delhi High Court expressed its inability to extend his detention as Law is not permitting it. Hence, many people including Nirbhaya’s parents strongly protested his release. Then only opposition parties in the parliament have cooperated with the government for passing this Juvenile Justice Aact-2015.