Supreme Court to Examine Definition of "Juvenile"

Excerpts:

"The issue assumes significance in the wake of the brutal gangrape and assault of a 23-year-old in Delhi on December 16 in a moving bus that shook the conscience of the nation. The victim died in a Singapore hospital on December 29. One of the six accused in the case is a juvenile. ..."

"... A bench comprising justices K S Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra decided to hear the matter from April 3 ... "

" ... The petition, filed by two advocates – Kamal Kumar Pandey and Sukumar – contended that sections 2(k), 10 and 17 of the JJ Act which deals with the issue were irrational and ultra-vires of the Constitution. ... "

" ... The counsel said that the definition of juvenile under section 82 and 83 of the IPC is a much better classification.

Section 82 provides that nothing is an offence which is done by a child under seven years of age.

Section 83 says nothing is an offence which is done by a child above seven years of age and under twelve and who has not attained the maturity to understand or judge the nature and consequences of his conduct. ... "

Source: The Indian Express, 4 February 2013


Click here to read full article.

Times of India: Verma Panel Presents New Charter of Rights

"While the "Bill of Rights" appended to the report declares abstract principles concerning women, the unstated charter, which has been gleaned by TOI from the amendments proposed by the committee, can make the difference more directly, as these rights are inherently backed by criminal sanctions."

 An interesting read, although the Committee's report does not actually have such a charter listed out. So although the article is titled "Verma Panel Presents New Charter of Rights", it would perhaps be more accurate to say "Times of India Gleans New Charter of Rights from Verma Report".

:-)

Still, it's worth a read and good on whoever it was who did the gleaning.

Click here to read Times of India article

 

Justice Verma Commission's report

Thanks to 1 Million Against Child/Adult Sexual Abuse for sharing this link! I haven't yet read the report, but am excited and hopeful about doing so, and happy to see all the subjects covered in the chapter headings.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON AMENDMENTS TO CRIMINAL LAW
by Justice J.S. Verma, Justice Leila Seth, Gopal Subramaniam
23 January, 2013

The report covers the following:

Chapter One - Constitutionalism, Republicanism and Gender Equality
Chapter Two - Gender Justice and India's Obligations under International Conventions
Chapter Three - Rape and Sexual Assault
Chapter Four - Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Chapter Five - Other Offences against Women
Chapter Six - Trafficking of Women and Children
Chapter Seven - Child Sexual Abuse
Chapter Eight - Khap Panchayats and Honour Killings
Chapter Nine - Sentencing and Punishment
Chapter Ten - Provision of Adequate Safety Measures and Amenities in respect of Women
Chapter Eleven - Medico-Legal Examination of the Victim
Chapter Twelve - Police Reforms
Chapter Thirteen - Electoral Reforms
Chapter Fourteen - Education and Perception Reform

Click here to read the 644-page pdf document in full.