Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill passed in Rajya Sabha; CPI-M walks out

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2015 against the backdrop of the 2012 gangrape-cum-murder of Nirbhaya.

New Delhi, Dec 22: The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2015 against the backdrop of the 2012 gangrape-cum-murder of Nirbhaya, which shook the entire country. Asha Devi and Badrinath, parents of 23-year-old paramedical student Nirbhaya who was gang-raped by five men and a juvenile on a moving bus in Delhi on December 16, 2012, were present in the visitors’ gallery as the Rajya Sabha took up the bill for discussion.

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2014, provides for the trial of those between 16-18 years as adults for heinous offences. Also, anyone between the age of 16-18 who commits a less serious offence may be tried as an adult if he is apprehended after he attains the age of 21.

“Is a child a child because he is 16 or because he has been nurtured like that? Is poverty only reason why some children turn criminal? How then does Sweden, with no poor people, have high number of rape cases?” asked Maneka Gandhi requesting the House to pass the Juvenile Justice Bill. (ALSO READ: Congress inventing reasons to block parliament: M. Venkaiah Naidu)

A total of 38,565 cases were registered against juveniles in conflict with law for cognisable crimes under Indian Penal Code–Special Law and Local Law in 2014, Lok Sabha was informed today. Minister of State for Home Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary said a total of 31,973 cases were registered against juveniles in 2012 and 35,861 cases in 2013.

“As per available information, 52.8 per cent (21,049 out of 39,822), 50.2 per cent (21,860 out of 43,506) and 55.6 percent (26,809 out of 48,230) of juveniles belonging to families having annual income up to Rs 25,000, were apprehended during 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively,” he said in reply to a written question.