Rajya Sabha passes Juvenile Justice Bill

Today, Rajya Sabha passes the amended Juvenile Justice Bill that reduces the juvenile’s age limit from present 18 to 16 years. Hence, juveniles committed heinous crimes like murder or rape will be treated as majors and will be given punishment accordingly from now onwards by the courts. Nirbhaya’s parents Badrinath and Asha Devi were allowed to witness the debate on this Juvenile Justice Bill in the Rajya Sabha today. They both met Congress party vice-president Rahul Gandhi and appealed him to cooperate for passing this Juvenile Justice Bill in the house and he positively responded to their appeal.

CPI (M) NCP and DMK members stressed the house for sending the Bill to select committee as it need a deep study before passing in the house.

Women and Child Development Minister Menaka Gandhi briefing about several precautions taken for safeguarding the juvenile’s rights, "No juvenile will be sent to the jail directly. The experts and psychologists of Justice Board will first decide whether the crime committed by juvenile is ‘child-like’ or an ‘adult frame of mind.’ Based on their recommendations, appropriate action will be taken against the juvenile by the courts."

"The juveniles will have right to appeal for reconsideration, in case if a court decides to send the juvenile to an adult jail. Even if a court decides to send the juvenile to an adult jail then the juvenile will be sent to reformation center until he is 21 years old. Later, the court will review its decision and appropriate action will be taken. These precaution have been taken to prevent the juveniles spending time with hardened criminals in adult jail”, said Menaka Gandhi.

This Juvenile Justice Bill is a compassionate and comprehensive in nature,” said Menaka Gandhi. She further said that though this Bill can’t do anything to the juvenile in the Nirbhaya case, it may stop the other boys from committing such heinous crimes in future.” Hence, it is clear that the juvenile convict of Nirbhaya case need not to worry about this amended Juvenile Justice Bill.