Rahul Gandhi assures passage for Juvenile Justice Bill, says Nirbhaya’s mother

Asha Devi, mother of Nirbhaya, on Tuesday met Rahul Gandhi at his residence and said that the Congress vice president assured passage for the Juvenile Justice Bill.

New Delhi, Dec 22: Asha Devi, mother of Nirbhaya, December 16 gangrape victim, on Tuesday met Rahul Gandhi at his residence and said that the Congress vice president assured passage for the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2015 in the Rajya Sabha. “I equested him (Rahul Gandhi) to help in passage of juvenile justice bill in Rajya Sabha, he assured us that Congress will support the bill,” said Nirbhaya’s mother after meeting Congress vice president.

Congress’ stand on the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2015 seems unclear as the party leader Renuka Chowdhury said that the Bill should be sent to select committee. Congress had earlier accused he government of diverting attention from DDCA issue. “Let them not do this mischief. This is a total brazen mischief on the part of the government… This is only to divert the attention of the opposition from raising other issues, about DDCA,” Azad said, adding that the Congress will support the Juvenile Justice Bill in the Upper House. (ALSO READ: Suspense over Juvenile Justice Bill remains; Nirbhaya’s parents to meet Sushma Swaraj)

The proposed Bill allows a magistrate to decide if a minor between ages 16 and 18, accused of heinous crimes like rape and murder, can be tried as an adult in a regular court by measuring his mental maturity. As per existing Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, a juvenile (who is below the age of 18 years) in conflict with law, regardless of the type of offence committed, may spend a maximum of three years. The child cannot be given any penalty higher than three years, nor be tried as an adult and be sent to an adult jail.