From child labour to molestation and sex trafficking, the increasing graph of crime against children in the Capital has painted a sordid picture. As per the data of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the involvement of juveniles in cases of rape in the Capital shot up by 158 per cent with 163 cases in 2013 against 63 cases in 2012.
The involvement of juveniles in crimes as well as crime against children, both are on the rise unfettered. “Constitution provides welfare and rights of dignified living, without fear to all the citizens, including children,” said Union law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad at a seminar over Juvenile Justice System in the 21st century.
“The organisation is trying to bring the policy makers, bureaucrats, academicians and general public on common platform to synergise the existing laws involving juveniles. The need for the seminar has arisen as numbers of proposals are being pertaining to amendments in Juvenile Justice Act, 2000 from the experts who have been constantly trying to bring a change in the pathetic conditions of children within the institutions and outside,” said Shobha Vijender. The emerging new trends reveal that crimes are committed by juveniles for fun. “The children are victimised as well as they are being used to commit crimes. In both the situations children are sufferers,” Vijender added.
Emphasising on the need to amend the Juvenile Justice Act 2000, the speakers also focused on the issue to reduce the age of culpability. “Juveniles are juveniles and any attempt to reduce the age of culpability may be unfortunate. There is a need to provide and professional education in the children homes to rehabilitate them in society,” said Amod Kanth, general secretary, Prayas.