Government may consider reducing age of juvenile

The government on Tuesday said it may consider the suggestion of reducing the age of juveniles and also request Ministry of Women and Child Welfare to look into it.

“As far as the issue of juvenile’s age is concerned, it is the responsibility of the Women and Child Welfare Ministry. But whatever suggestion was given by the member, we will certainly consider it and convey to the concerned ministry to consider it,” Home Minister Rajnath Singh said replying to a supplementary query during Question Hour.

Bharatiya Janata Party member Meenakshi Lekhi, in her supplementary question, had asked whether the government has any plan to have an amendment in the legislation to the Juvenile Justice Act to reduce the age of the juveniles who are involved in conflict zones.

Debates have been going on in different foras whether to reduce the age of juvenile from 18 years as there were reports of crime against women in the past where juveniles were found to be involved.