SC refuses to change Juvenile Justice Act

The Supreme Court has refused to reduce the age for Juveniles from 18 to 16 if they are accused of heinous crimes. The apex court ruled that they would continue to be tried by a Juvenile Board under the Juvenile Justice Act.

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) sought to make amendment to the existing Juvenile Law to allow Under-18 youth to be punished under regular law if they are charged with serious crimes. The Delhi gangrape case of December 16, was cited as the example in this case.

One of the six accused in the Delhi gangrape case was a minor when the incident took place. He will escape strong punishment if found guilty and will face maximum punishment of three years in a correction home.