Nirbhayas' mother welcomes Juvenile Amendment Act

Nirbhaya's mother said on Thursday that she welcomed the amendment in the Juvenile Act and also hoped the accused in the Nirbhaya case will get punished under it. However, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik demanded an all party meeting on the issue.

Nirbhaya's mother told ANI, "We support this step and are also thankful to all who supported this act and took it forward. Although the circumstances were not in our favor, still for the last two years, we are struggling and meeting people."

Talking about the retrial in the Nirbhaya's case, she said, "We strongly believe that the parliament will also pass it. Alongside, we would like to appeal that the accused should be punished. If the accused is set free, then it will be very shameful for the whole country," she added.

Malik told ANI, "The government is talking of reducing the age limit of juvenile criminals. An all party talk meeting must be conducted, and only then should they reach at a conclusion."

The amendment in the Juvenile Justice Act was approved by the Union Cabinet yesterday. It proposes to treat juveniles older than 16 years as adults if involved in heinous crimes such as rape and murder.

The amended bill has the provisions that juveniles convicted for heinous crimes may face a jail term but will not be awarded life sentence or death penalty.

The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) will decide whether cases where a juvenile is involved in a heinous crime, would be tried under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act or normal trial court.

At present, if an accused person is found to be a juvenile or under 18 years, he is tried by the Juvenile Justice Board and if convicted, is sent to a juvenile reform home for a maximum period of three years.