Juvenile bill will be passed today, govt assures victim's parents

The government has assured parents of the December 16 gang rape victim that the bill which will allow juveniles between 16-18 years to be tried as adults in heinous crime cases will be passed on Tuesday.

The parents of the victim met Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi at his residence in New Delhi.

After the meeting, Naqvi told reporters that government has spoken to every party and they have assured it that the bill will be passed today in Rajya Sabha.

"Discussions will start today. The House is a place for discussions. If any one has any suggestion they can place during the debate but we feel there should not be any more delay as it has already been too late," he said.

The minister said government had listed the bill 12 times during the monsoon session but because the House was not functioning it could not be taken up.

"Even in winter session we have listed it for five times including today. We hope that it will be passed today so that a strong and effective law is in place to deal with heinous criminals, whatever age they may be of," he said.

The mother of the December 16 gangrape victim said there have been enough discussions.

"Now the bill should be passed today. I have been assured that it will be passed today. Our struggle is to get this bill passed," she said, adding that she will like to go to Rajya Sabha, if a pass is arranged, to see it getting passed.

The amendments to Juvenile Justice Act will allow children between 16-18 years to be tried as adults in heinous crime cases. The Bill has been passed by Lok Sabha and is pending before Rajya Sabha where it is listed on Tuesday.

However, Congress had termed this move as "brazen mischief" by the government, alleging it was trying to "defame the opposition" and divert attention from DDCA issue.