The government is concerned about growing incidents of heinous crime being committed by minors and the entire issue of juvenility is under its consideration, the Attorney General on Monday told the Supreme Court.
A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra, which had described a juvenile law far too liberal in not giving punishment in grave and heinous offences, asked the government to take a decision on the issue.
“We are inclined to think that the concern expressed by learned Attorney General is absolutely correct and we are of the convinced opinion that he will put it across to the competent authorities so that care is taken to the extent that the nature of the offence has some nexus with the age in question, for the cry of the collected is to live in a peaceful society that respects life, dignity and others’ liberty,” it said.
The court was hearing a appeal filed by CBI challenging decision of High Court in which a 40-year-old man, convicted of murder, successfully raised a claim of juvenility to get benefit.
“We are inclined to think that the concern expressed by learned Attorney General is absolutely correct and we are of the convinced opinion that he will put it across to the competent authorities so that care is taken to the extent that the nature of the offence has some nexus with the age in question, for the cry of the collected is to live in a peaceful society that respects life, dignity and others’ liberty,” the bench said.
It also noted that AG Mukul Rohatgi and Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the concern expressed by the court is still engaging the attention of the competent authority of the State.
