Police cannot register FIRs against juveniles in connection with minor offences, according to the new draft model rules for the juvenile justice law, reported Hindustan Times. However, the new provision leaves room for authorities to book underage offenders if the crime attracts a prison term of more than seven years, or if an adult is also involved in the crime.

The new rules, made public by Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on Wednesday, state that a special juvenile police unit or a child welfare police officer will handle cases pertaining to juveniles involved in minor crimes, and such offences will be recorded as general diaries.

According to the draft rule, the state government must set up at least one "place of safety" for rehabilitation of juvenile convicts. "The Juvenile Justice Board and children’s court should see to it that a child offender is rehabilitated and reintegrated into society," Gandhi said. The rules also emphasise on speedy trial of cases where the accused is a minor.

On December 22, the Rajya Sabha had passed the Juvenile Justice Bill, which allows offenders over the age of 16 to be put to trial as adults in case of crimes such as murder and rape.