Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 26: The Legislative Council today rejected a Bill to amend Jammu and Kashmir Juvenile Justice Act which was moved by ruling National Conference Member Legislative Council (MLC) Shehnaz Ganai.
Ganai wanted amendment in the Jammu and Kashmir Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2013, saying the National Crime Bureau data points out that the maximum crimes are done by the youth who are in between 16 and 18 years.
The Act provides for age of juveniles as 18 years whereas there is rise in crime by the juveniles throughout the country and there has been a national consensus that in the age of 18 years, a child is mature enough that he can’t be given the benefit of a juvenile, the MLC said while moving the Bill.
“There are serious apprehensions that such a juvenile can be provocated by certain anti-social elements to commit heinous crimes that will result in escaping the normal course of law for providing punishment,” she said.
However, Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo informed the House that the Bill cannot be amended as this House had already made an amendment to the Act.
“The both Houses of State legislature last year made an amendment in the Bill and the age of juveniles was increased from 16 to 18. So I don’t find any merit now in the plea to make another amendment,” Itoo said.
“Therefore, I request the member to take the Bill back,” she said.
Ganai, however, refused to withdraw the Bill and insisted that the Bill be put to vote in the House.
But the Bill was defeated in the House after being put to vote.
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