The Union Cabinet of India has given its nod to make changes in the existing juvenile justice act. The amendment bill has special provisions to tackle heinous offences like murder and rape committed by juveniles in the age group of 16-18 years. 

When a person in the age group of 16-18 years commits a heinous crime, the same will be examined by the Juvenile Justice Board to assess if the crime was committed as a ‘child’ or as an ‘adult’. The Board which will comprise psychologists and social experts. The Juvenile Justice Board will ensure that the rights of the juvenile are protected if he has committed the crime as a child.

On the basis of the Cabinet’s approval, a bill amending the current law will be introduced in the current session of Parliament. The proposed legislation, which would replace the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, clearly defines and classifies offences as petty, serious and heinous and defines differentiated processes for each category.

The demand for punishment of juveniles in the age group of 16-18 years has raised since the infamous Nirbhaya rape and murder case in December of 2012, that has shocked the whole world. One of the main accused of the heinous crime was declared juvenile and was given a light sentence.