Cabinet clears Juvenile Justice Act amendments

A proposal, which will empower the Juvenile Justice Board to decide whether a juvenile above 16 years involved in heinous crimes such as rape is to be sent to a observation home or tried in a regular court, is learnt have been cleared by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday.

With all central ministries giving their approval to the amendments to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, the proposal was placed on the agenda for the cabinet meeting. 

The proposed changes in the law come against the backdrop of outrage over the lighter punishment of three years in a reform home given to a minor convicted in the December 16, 2012

Delhi gangrape case.

However, according to the Bill, in no case the juvenile involved in a heinous crime will be sentenced to death or life imprisonment either when tried under the provisions of JJ Act or under the provisions of IPC.

The proposed amendments also included facilitating faster adoption of children and setting up foster care homes.

The WCD Ministry intends to make the Central Adoption Resource Authority the statutory body, which means it will have powers to regulate inter-country adoptions along with issuing guidelines on adoption and related matter.