New Delhi: In tune with the fight of Nirbhaya’s parents for justice, specially demanding punishment to juvenile convict in the Delhi Gang-rape case, who walked free on Sunday, a demand for expeditious passage of the amendments to the Juvenile Justice Act to allow children between 16-18 years to be tried as adults in heinous crime cases was made in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
The demand gained momentum after the Supreme Court dismissed a plea against the release of the juvenile offender in the December 16 gang-rape case.
MP Derek O’Brien from Trinamool Congress said that with only three days to go before end of the Winter Session and government’s listed agenda includes commercial courts, arbitration and real estate bill, but unfortunately the government has not even listed the juvenile bill for discussion.
“It is incumbent upon the House to listen to what is going on outside,” he said, asking the House to rise above politics. “It is not a perfect bill but let us list it and pass the bill,” O’Brien said.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the bill was listed on December 8, 10 and 11. “We have listed it fortomorrow,” he said, adding if all agree the bill can be taken up for discussion today itself.
Today, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2015 has been listed for passing. “We are committed to passing it today,” he said adding the juvenile bill can be taken up tomorrow.
