SC rejection spurs demand for quick Juvenile bill passage

The Supreme Court's rejection of plea against release of juvenile offender in December 16 gang- rape case today spurred demands inside and outside Parliament for passage of a bill--that seeks to lower the age defining juvenile from 18 to 16 years--tomorrow itself. Government said the amendments to Juvenile Justice Act that will allow children between 16-18 years to be tried as adults in heinous crime cases will come up before Rajya Sabha tomorrow, as protests against release of the juvenile convict continued at Jantar Mantar. The Juvenile Justice Amendment Act has already been passed in the Lok Sabha.

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said "the government is ready and very keen to pass this Juvenile Bill", as a demand for expeditious passage was made in the Rajya Sabha. Parliament's Winter session concludes on Wednesday. Derek O'Brien (TMC) said he has given a notice under rule 267 seeking suspension of business in the Rajya Sabha and taking up the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2014.

He said the House had only three days to go before end of the Winter Session and government's listed agenda includes commercial courts, arbitration and real estate bill. The government has not even listed the juvenile bill for discussion and passing today, he said during Zero Hour. "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 for tomorrow," he said, adding if all agree the bill can be taken up for discussion today itself. Outside Parliament, Prasad targeted Congress, saying "the Bill has been thrice listed in the past for consideration and passage in Rajya Sabha; however, the House has not been able to run". Derek O'Brien said the various parties should rise above politics and allow the passage of the Bill. "The nation wants this Bill passed.

In the next two days, parties should rise above politics and pass this Bill. I appeal to the Congress party for it," he said. Union Minister Uma Bharti said she will appeal to Congress president Sonia Gandhi to allow passage of the Bill in the interest of the girls in the country.