Dec 16 rape victim's parents welcome Maneka's statement on juveniles

The parents of the Dec 16, 2012 Delhi gang rape victim Monday welcomed the statement of Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi that juveniles, accused of serious crimes like rape, be treated on par with adults.

The victim's father said he appreciated her stand.

"I appreciate and welcome the decision of Maneka Gandhi. I think that juveniles should be treated like adults if they indulge in any heinous crime like rape or murder," the father told IANS.

He said that one or two juveniles are involved in most gang rape cases and their lawyers take advantage of their involvement in making the case weak.

"No criminal should be given special treatment only on the ground of being a juvenile. Everybody who is guilty of rape, gang rape or murder should be given equal punishment. There should be no difference between juvenile and adult criminals. Criminals are only criminals," he said.

The victim's mother also welcomed Gandhi's statement, saying juveniles indulge in major crimes thinking they won't get punished.

"If such a law comes to existence it will be helpful in controlling crime," the mother told IANS.

Their daughter, a 23-year-old trainee physiotherapist, was brutally gang raped inside a moving bus here by six people Dec 16, 2012, leading to her eventual death. One of the rapists was a juvenile.

Maneka Gandhi had said in Chennai that juveniles accused of serious crimes like rape should be tried as adults.