India approves proposal to try minors above 16 years as adults in case of heinous crimes

The Indian government has approved a proposal to try minors above 16 years as adults, if they are accused of heinous crimes like gangrape and murder.

Currently, anyone below the age of 18 years is tried by the Juvenile Justice Board even if they are accused of heinous crimes and the maximum penalty imposed is three years in a reforms facility.

But in a Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday evening, the government has now approved the new proposal where a minor in the age group of 16 to 18 years will be tried as adult.

"The Indian Cabinet has approved amendments to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, whereby juveniles in the age group of 16-18 can be tried under Indian Penal Code if they are accused of heinous crimes," senior Indian Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told the media.

India's Supreme Court had recently said there was a need to re- look at the provisions of Juvenile Justice Act in cases of heinous crimes.

The issue of trying juveniles below 18 years has been a subject of debate since the brutal and fatal gangrape of a 23-year-old medical student by six men, including a minor, on a moving bus in the national capital in December 2012.

The minor was tried in the case and asked to undergo three years in a reforms facility while four others were convicted under the Indian Penal Code and given death penalty. Endi