Released juveniles want to study and become good citizens

Ranchi, Feb 11 (UNI) Released juvenile Raja Babu Pasi cherishes the dream of educating himself and earning a living like any other honest citizen.

Eight-year-old Raja was one the 59 juveniles released yesterday in the first special Lok Adalat for juveniles in conflict with the law.

The Lok Adalat was graced by Supreme Court Justice Altamas Kabir as the chief guest and Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court Muthuswamy Karpagyavinaygam as the guest of honour.

In April last year, Raja was booked in a theft case.

The Ranchi Juvenile Observation Home housed 145 inmates till yesterday.

Besides, the adalat disposed 45 petty crime cases.

Apparent gloom among the rest of the 58 juveniles vanished moments after the court ordered their release. They too expressed their desire to go to schools and become good citizens.

The Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court said the children are assets of the country and they should not be treated as 'saleable commodities'.

''It takes time to reform these juveniles and send them to their parents or their relatives, '' the Supreme Court Justice said.

UNI