'Justice Verma report is a remarkable document'

Members of the governing council of Public Interest Foundation reacted to the report of Justice Verma Committee with specific reference to misdeeds of rape and brutality committed by a juvenile offender. HT reports.

Members of the governing council of Public Interest Foundation reacted to the report of Justice Verma Committee with specific reference to misdeeds of rape and brutality committed by a juvenile offender.

They said the matter was of great public importance as it might unleash serious anti-social behavior under the protection of juvenile justice.

They said, "The report is a remarkable document in respecting the autonomous rights of women, while unconditional faith has been rested upon the constitutional integrity."

Those who expressed their views included Naresh Chandra, ex-cabinet secretary, Dr. Bimal Jalan, ex-governor, Reserve Bank of India, Boobli George Verghese, senior journalist, Harshvardhan Neotia, industrialist, Shailaja Chandra, ex-chief secretary of Delhi, and Suresh Neotia, industrialist, among others.

"Even so, one issue that continues to exacerbate people's anger is the likelihood of ignoring the frightful cruelty inflicted by one of the accused who now takes shelter under the law as a minor. There are repeated reports recounting the minor's actions on that fateful evening - more pernicious by far than others of the gang. It is necessary to take into consideration the present status of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act (19) and the subjective knowledge of reformation as understood in the act which calls for congruity with the grievousness of the crime committed."

"The possible repercussions that may arise if the juvenile accused is allowed to be freed within 3-4 months of committing the dastardly crime cannot be overlooked. The repeat crime of a juvenile offender in Mumbai is already crying for a review of Juvenile Justice Act."