Age is no bar for sex crimes, suggests NCRB report

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 28, 2013



In what should give some food for thought to criminologists and psychiatrists involved in research on deviant behaviour in children, data compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows that the number of juveniles apprehended on charges of committing rape exceed those held for murder.





The number of juveniles held in 2011 on charges of murder was 1,168 as against 1,231 held on charges of rape, according to the 2011 NCRB report. The report further reveals that an overwhelming majority of the juveniles apprehended were in the 16-18 age group. Statistics for 2012 are yet to be compiled.



The report - Crime in India 2011 - shows that the number of juveniles apprehended for rape, kidnapping women and molestation was 2,505 as against 2,056 held for murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder and attempt to murder put together.



But a comparison of these figures to the overall figures pertaining to offences under the penal code committed by juveniles shows that the proportion of juveniles involved in crimes less serious than murder or rape is higher than those involved in serious crimes. Theft, hurt, burglary and rioting were generally the offences committed by juveniles.



For psychologist Aruna Broota, these figures call for a review of the definition of adolescence. \"The report submitted by the Justice Verma Committee has wriggled out of the adolescence debate. The committee should also have had psychologists to throw ight on the mental health of juveniles apprehended for rape which would add weight to the debate on whether the age of trial should be lowered form 18 years to 16 years,\" she said.



The figures also show that most juveniles apprehended for offences under the penal code were above the age of 16. This assumes relevance as the age for juvenile was raised from 16 years to 18 years under the new juvenile justice law enacted in 2000.



According to the report, about 20,000 of the 30,766 juveniles apprehended in 2011 for various offences under the Indian Penal Code were in the 16-18 years age group. The figure for the 12-16 bracket was about 10,000 and it was about 800 for the 7-12 age group.





Anti-child labour activist Shanta Sinha warns that the data should not be used to add to the demand for increased punishment for juveniles. \"What these figures actually indicate is the failure of the protection and rehabilitation network. We should focus on strengthening rehabilitation measures,\" Sinha said.



Another crucial figure pertained to the ratio between boys and girls found on the wrong side of law. Of the 30,766 juveniles apprehended, 29,234 were boys and merely 1,532 girls.


News From: http://www.7StarNews.com