Paying like adults for juvenile delinquency
Though, the legal framework ensures that the rights of children who commit crime are in place in keeping with the Juvenile Justice Act, 1986, the social acceptance of the juvenile delinquents seems to be missing.

The Juvenile Justice Act, 1986 was amended and the new act came into being on April 1, 2000. The act remains unaffected except the changes made to accommodate the international covenants.

"The whole purpose of treating the juveniles differently from the adult criminals is defeated due to the flimsy approach of the officials handling the children at the juvenile homes," admitted an advocate practicing in the juvenile court.

Senior advocate, Girish Patel said, "These children who are in conflict with the law termed as ‘juvenile delinquents’ are kept at separate homes and are treated differently from those in the category of the neglected children."

Sources stated that the neglected children are the ones those who need care and protection but the government has largely divested the responsibility on privately run centres which, are certified by the government and permits them to keep the delinquents and neglected children.

In all, there are only 23 government run centres while the privately run centres are to the tune of 110 across the state.

"In the past, it had been alleged that the privately run centres used to renew licenses and accumulate funds by conniving with the officials and getting the minimum number of inmates for their homes. They used to pick up children from railway stations and other public places to fulfill the requirement," said an advocate practicing in the city.

He further added that the government enjoys discretionary powers to appoint the chairpersons of the Welfare Advisory Board and appoints workers from the party rank who are bothered only with the perquisites of the official post.

Senior advocates in the city opine that contrary to the US where the act is very harsh, the act in India is legally and constitutionally very soft towards delinquents and looks upon them as those who need care and protection. However, it falters when it comes to implementation.

Republished from The Asian Age