NEW DELHI: Maharashtra deputy chief minister proposed lowering the legal age for defining 'juvenile' in criminal cases from 18 to 14 on Thursday saying the 17-year-olds are well aware that they can escape severe punishment after committing a crime, due to their age.
He expressed his intention to discuss this matter with Union home minister Amit Shah and chief minister Eknath Shinde and send a formal letter to the Centre regarding this issue, PTI News agency reported.
Pawar's statement comes in the wake of recent incidents involving minors in serious crimes. He cited the example of the two 17-year college students who attacked the victim, also 17, with a sickle and a knife that they had hidden in their college bags in Baramati and another case where a 17-year-old son of a prominent builder, hit their motorcycle with his Porsche near a pub in the upscale neighbourhood of Kalyaninagar in Pune. He was released in June following a high court order, though his parents, and seven others — including two Sassoon Hospital doctors and intermediaries—are in judicial custody at Yerawada Central Jail.
Under the current criminal law, stringent punishment can only be awarded to those above 18 years of age.
"Earlier, the age group of 18 to 20 years was considered appropriate for determining adulthood. However, times have changed, and children today are far more aware and informed. Young kids now ask questions that we could not have thought of until after the fifth grade. Some officials believe that the age threshold should be lowered from 18 to 14," PTI quoted Pawar as saying.
He further emphasised the need to address this concern with the Centre when new laws are drafted, stating, "Seventeen-year-olds are well aware that they can escape severe punishment after committing a crime (due to their age). It has been observed that 15-, 16-, or 17-year-old youngsters are increasingly involved in criminal activities."
He expressed his intention to discuss this matter with Union home minister Amit Shah and chief minister Eknath Shinde and send a formal letter to the Centre regarding this issue, PTI News agency reported.
Pawar's statement comes in the wake of recent incidents involving minors in serious crimes. He cited the example of the two 17-year college students who attacked the victim, also 17, with a sickle and a knife that they had hidden in their college bags in Baramati and another case where a 17-year-old son of a prominent builder, hit their motorcycle with his Porsche near a pub in the upscale neighbourhood of Kalyaninagar in Pune. He was released in June following a high court order, though his parents, and seven others — including two Sassoon Hospital doctors and intermediaries—are in judicial custody at Yerawada Central Jail.
Under the current criminal law, stringent punishment can only be awarded to those above 18 years of age.
"Earlier, the age group of 18 to 20 years was considered appropriate for determining adulthood. However, times have changed, and children today are far more aware and informed. Young kids now ask questions that we could not have thought of until after the fifth grade. Some officials believe that the age threshold should be lowered from 18 to 14," PTI quoted Pawar as saying.
He further emphasised the need to address this concern with the Centre when new laws are drafted, stating, "Seventeen-year-olds are well aware that they can escape severe punishment after committing a crime (due to their age). It has been observed that 15-, 16-, or 17-year-old youngsters are increasingly involved in criminal activities."
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