Question : JUVENILES AGE

(a) whether the innocuous/henious/serious crimes including rape committed by the juveniles have reportedly increased in the country during each of the last three years and if so, the details thereof, State/ UT-wise along with the number of such juvenile criminals sent to the juvenile homes during the said period, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government proposes to amend the Juvenile Justice Act with respect to the age of juvenile to remove the differentiation in quantum of punishment between juveniles and adult offenders and to make juveniles accountable for their deliquency, if so, the details thereof along with the time by which it is likely to be done and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has received any direction from the Supreme Court in this regard, if so, the details and compliance thereof;

(d) whether the Committee constituted by the Government to define the age of juvenile has submitted its report and if so, the main recommendations of the Committee along with the implementation status of the recommendations;

(e) whether the Government proposes to provide job oriented training to inmates of juvenile homes in the country and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to curb crime by juveniles, speedy trial of cases involving juveniles and proper rehabilitation of such juveniles after releasing from juvenile homes in the country?

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

(a): As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) the total number of juveniles apprehended for committing all offences including innocuous/heinous/serious crimes under IPC and Special and local Laws were 33887,39822,43506 in 2011,2012 and 2013 respectively. The State/UT wise details of the offences committed and juveniles sent to juvenile homes are not maintained centrally.

(b): In the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill,2014 introduced by the Government in Lok Sabha on 12th August,2014, it is proposed to treat children above the age of sixteen years who commit heinous offences differently. The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) after conducting a preliminary assessment may transfer the case to Children’s Court which is a Court of Session having jurisdiction to try heinous offences. If after trial, a child is found guilty of committing a heinous offence by the Children’s Court then such child is proposed to be sent to a place of safety for reformation and rehabilitation upto the age of 21 years. After completing the age of 21 years, an evaluation of the child is to be conducted by the Children’s Court after which the child is either released on probation or transferred to jail for the remaining term. The Bill has been passed in the Lok Sabha on 7th May,2015.

(c): The Government has not received any directions from the Supreme Court in this regard. However, the Hon’ble Court in its recent proceedings in SLP 2366-2368/2015 has observed that time has come to think of an effective law to deal with the increase in crimes by juveniles.

(d): The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill,2014 introduced in the Lok Sabha was referred to a Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development for examination. The Committee presented its report on 25th February, 2015 and their recommendations have been examined by the Government. The detailed report of the Committee is available on the website of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

(e): The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act,2000 provides for vocational training to children placed in various child care institutions, including Observation Homes and Special Homes, for their rehabilitation based on the interest and aptitude of the child,.

(f) In the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill,2014 introduced by the Government in Lok Sabha on 12th August , 2014, and passed in the Lok Sabha on 7th May, 2015, it is proposed to treat children above the age of sixteen years who commit heinous offences differently, which will act as deterrent for such children.

Timelines for inquiry by the Juvenile Justice Board into offences committed by children have been provided in the Bill to ensure speedy trial of cases. The Bill also includes various rehabilitative and reformative services including after care, educational services, skill development, alternative therapy such as counseling, behavior modification therapy and psychiatric support.