Juvenile justice system in India: An overview

Juvenile justice is a legal framework that defines justice for juveniles. The problem of juvenile delinquency is not new. It happens in all societies simple as well as complex, that is wherever and whenever a relationship is affected between a group of individuals leading to maladjustments and conflict. The major debate and discussion surrounding the juvenile justice system began after the heinous incident of the Nirbhaya Gang Rape Case within which an accused was only six months faraway from reaching the age of 18, the age of becoming significant, and forcing the Indian legal system to convict him as a juvenile instead of a full-fledged offender.¹ To solve the challenges of juvenile delinquency various declarations and conventions at the international level and laws were enacted by the respective governments at the national level. It is a serious worry for the country and answers for end the issue should be looked for all around prudently. Indian lawful system and legal executive has reacted to these trends and has acquired a few amendments the laws pertaining to juvenile justice in India.² The Juvenile Justice System is the most dynamic and irradiated framework embraced by the world which deals with all-round development of children. The main focuses to give consideration to the unprotected children. The concept of juvenile justice was derived from a belief of problems that the hurdles of juvenile delinquency and youth in abnormal situations are not amenable to resolution within the ambit framework of the traditional process of criminal law.³