Dec 16 gang-rape: What if juvenile convict hasnt been reformed?
The Centres request to the Delhi High Court on Monday to extend the lone juvenile convicts stay in a safe home in connection with the December 16 gang rape case has once again exposed the shortcomings in the Juvenile Justice Act--often criticised for its pro-delinquent tilt.
The Juvenile Justice Boards order to release the convict--now a 21-year-old adult--on December 20 is based on the presumption that he has reformed after staying in a reform home as required under the Act.
But what if he hasnt been reformed to be re-integrated into the mainstream of society? In fact, the law doesnt envisage such a situation. Rather, it presumes that the juvenile delinquent has been reformed.
The Act does not even use the term convict for a juvenile delinquent found guilty of an offence. It uses the expression juvenile in conflict with law.
Read more at: http://www.hindustantimes.com/editor...XvKJPIGVK.html
The Centres request to the Delhi High Court on Monday to extend the lone juvenile convicts stay in a safe home in connection with the December 16 gang rape case has once again exposed the shortcomings in the Juvenile Justice Act--often criticised for its pro-delinquent tilt.
The Juvenile Justice Boards order to release the convict--now a 21-year-old adult--on December 20 is based on the presumption that he has reformed after staying in a reform home as required under the Act.
But what if he hasnt been reformed to be re-integrated into the mainstream of society? In fact, the law doesnt envisage such a situation. Rather, it presumes that the juvenile delinquent has been reformed.
The Act does not even use the term convict for a juvenile delinquent found guilty of an offence. It uses the expression juvenile in conflict with law.
Read more at: http://www.hindustantimes.com/editor...XvKJPIGVK.html