Does India Need To Change Its Juvenile Law?

She said, “India needs faster handling of these cases as well so suspects don't believe they can get away with such heinous crimes,” as reported by LA Times.

Krishna Tirath, minister for women and child development said the government wasn't in favor of a reduction in the age of majority; however stringent punishment is needed in "rarest of rare" cases, like in the Delhi rape case.

As opposed by child-care advocates stating that Indian law makes allowances for immaturity, setting the marriageable age for boys at 21 and girls at 18, however, this principle shouldn't be ignored when it's convenient. If society is caught up in a media frenzy phase, as it’s said, it doesn’t mean there is no time or need to rewrite law.

Khusboo Jain, a sociologist who has done extensive research on street children, said, “The idea of justice right now is immediate and pretty vengeful. This would be bad precedent. Everyone would want every kid to be hanged. Rather than needed reform, we're talking about retribution,” reported by LA Times.

The treatment juveniles get in India has been criticized for extensive brutality. The suspect held as juvenile was taken to the hospital with acute appendicitis apparently after he was beaten by other inmates at the juvenile home.

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