This refers to the editorial, “Recast juvenile justice” (July 16). Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi has displayed subtle wisdom in seeking changes to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. With considerable increase in the number of heinous crimes committed by minors, the age factor should not be taken as a deterrent while awarding the quantum of punishment to the accused. With the liberal juvenile law that we have, minor offenders carry no fear while committing the most severe crimes. More alarming is that even terror masterminds doctor young recruits to hide their age in the event of their being caught, to escape harsh punishment.
The proposed reduction of age from 18 years to 16 years in the case of juveniles may bring some relief, but until juvenile culprits are tried and sentenced strictly as per the degree and severity of their crimes, the amendment to the law may not bring forth a perceptible change.