New Delhi: The juvenile rapist in the December 16, 2012 gangrape case completed his three-year term in a reform home.
Brushing aside the public outcry against his release, a two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath directed the Juvenile Justice Board to interact with the convict, his parents and concerned officials of the Department of Women and Child Development regarding his “rehabilitation and social mainstreaming”.
The rape case had raised a major debate across the country on whether the age of juvenility should be lowered or they should be treated as adults in cases of heinous offences. Cutting across party lines, women MPs had also opposed the release of the juvenile convict in this case.
Union minister Maneka Gandhi blamed Rajya Sabha for not passing the Bill to amend the Juvenile Justice Act, which seeks stringent punishment for children aged etween 16 and 18 years involved in heinous crimes. “I would blame the Rajya Sabha for not passing the law. Had they passed the bill, he (accused juvenile) would not have gone scot-free,” Ms Gandhi said outside Parliament. [Any such amendment would need to have restroactive effect, which is another sticking point in law.] She said the existing law was insufficient to hold the punishment of the accused juvenile who was the most gruesome of all six rapists.
Union water resources minister Uma Bharti said though the court’s decision cannot be questioned, the matter needs to be deliberated upon to find a solution.
But BJP leader and former top cop Kiran Bedi said even after the juvenile convict is released, the 20-year-old youth can be arrested by the Delhi police for apprehension of breach of peace. “Rapist being released can be arrested by Delhi police under 107/151 of CrPC for apprehension of breach of peace till SC considers parents’ petition,” she tweeted.
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