NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a petition seeking examination of maturity level of 16 to 18 year olds, accused of heinous crime, to decide whether they needed trial by a juvenile board. An apex court bench of Justice BS Chauhan and Justice SA Bobde issued notice after counsel Aman Hingorani told the court that under sections 82 and 83 of the act, a magistrate being confronted with a juvenile accused only ascertains whether he is above or below 18 years and accordingly remands the matter to the Juvenile Justice Board or the trial court. This protection is provided to the accused aged between 16 and 18. Hingorani said that given the gravity of the offence, the magistrate must go into the mental maturity of the accused and his understanding of the consequences of his criminal act. Hingorani appeared for the father of Dec 16, 2012 Delhi gang-rape victim. Notice has also been issued to the women and child development ministry. The apex court will entertain the petition filed by parents of Nirbhaya, who died or injuries sustained during brutal gang rape and assault in December last year.
Posted on: Mon, 02 Dec 2013 07:56:50 +0000
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