A new legal measure is being passed in India to change the way teenagers are prosecuted in the country for heinous cases such as rape and murder.
India’s Parliament has approved the amendments of the country’s long-standing juvenile law on Tuesday, making the prosecution of suspects, within the ages of 16 to18 years, to be tried as adults.
This was initiated after a convicted rapist in 2012 was released because he was just about 18years on the night of the rape. He was sentenced to only three years in custody, a sentence which several citizens to feel the judgment couldn’t measure up to the crime he committed.
The freed teen is one of six men who repeatedly raped an Indian medical student on a moving Delhi bus in 2012, the victim’s internal organs were damaged beyond repair, and she died of her injuries 13 days after the incident.
His release triggered reactions from Indian society which brought about the change in the juvenile law.
The proposed amendments would make juvenile tribunals to examine whether such suspects, accused of heinous crimes, be tried as children or adults. That decision will be based on expert opinion about the mental maturity of suspects in the 16 to 18 age bracket.
This amendment by India’s upper chamber has completed the parliamentary process for reform, the bill is to be sent to the nation’s President for approval.
