Congress supporter challenges Juvenile Justice Act in Supreme Court
In his petition, Pune-based businessman Tehseen Poonawalla claimed the amendments made the law ‘draconian and unconstitutional’ and also violated the constitutional right to equality.
Congress supporter and Pune-based businessman Tehseen Poonawalla filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Saturday, challenging the constitutional validity of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, which was passed in the Winter Session of Parliament. The public interest litigation claims the Act is unreasonable, arbitrary and in violation of Article 14 (Right to Equality) of the Constitution, PTI reported.
The amendments made to the Act now allow minors who are 16 years of age to be tried as adults if they commit heinous crimes such as rape and murder. For this, the PIL called the Act “draconian and unconstitutional”, saying children should be provided care and protection instead. The plea further said the Act violated the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
