Juveniles Justice Act can be changed if it falls under procedural law

Advocate Abha Singh said on Monday that the Juvenile Justice Act can and should be changed if it falls under procedural law.

She said that the Supreme Court has rightly issued a notice to the Central Government and Delhi government for the need to make an exception in the Juvenile Justice Act with regard to the December 16, 2012 Delhi gang rape incident.

"Even in the Shakti mills rape case, three of the rapists were minors. There is a need to change the law in the juvenile justice act and if the juvenile justice act falls under procedural law, it can be changed. The age for juveniles should be brought down from 18 to 16."

She said in countries like the U.S and the UK, juveniles who commit serious crimes are tried under the senior law. In India also, that provision needs to be taken.

The fatal attack on the 23-year-old physiotherapy intern provoked national outrage and impelled an overhaul of archaic laws to punish sexual crimes against women.

The juvenile was one of the six accused arrested in the case. While the juvenile faced inquiry before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), the four adult accused are being tried before a fast track court.