DCW chief writes to Amit Shah and Sonia on juvenile justice bill

New Delhi, Dec 22: Delhi Commission for Women Chief Swati Maliwal on Tuesday appealed to BJP President Amit Shah and Congress President Sonia Gandhi to get the Juvenile Justice Amendment Bill passed in the current session of parliament.

In a letter to Amit Shah, Maliwal said: "On behalf of all Nirbhayas in the country, I request you to kindly ensure that the parliamentarians of your party discuss the bill and ensure that the amendment to the Juvenile Justice Act is passed in this session of parliament."

"If required, the session may be extended till the bill is passed. India has failed to provide justice to Jyoti Singh (also known as 'Nirbhaya') and many other 'Nirbhayas'," Maliwal wrote.

In her letter to Sonia Gandhi, she said, "I am extremely disturbed that such a crucial bill has been pending for long in the Rajya Sabha," and that it should be passed in the ongoing session.

It should be ensured that no more 'Nibhayas' were denied justice on account of certain provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, Maliwal said.

The proposed amendment to the Act would allow a much stricter treatment of a juvenile committing a heinous crime than is currently provided.

'Nirbhaya', a 23-year-old paramedical student, was gang-raped and brutalised in a moving bus in Delhi on 16 December 2012. She later died of her injuries.

One of the six accused who were later convicted of the crime was a juvenile. His release on December 20 from a correctional home in the national capital has led to protests and calls for an amendment to the Juvenile Justice Act.

The parents of 'Nirbhaya' on Monday led a massive demonstration in the national capital to demand amendment to the law.

Earlier, the amendment bill was listed for discussion and passing in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

IANS