By Shastri Ramachandran* | IDN-InDepthNews Analysis
NEW DELHI (IDN) – The release of a convicted rapist, who committed the crime when he was just 17, on December 20, 2015 amid high drama in Indian capital has triggered public outcry and revived debate over issues of juvenile justice.
One outcome of the protests against the release of the juvenile convict is that two days later, on December 22, India’s Parliament passed the Juvenile Justice Bill, under which minors from 16 to 18 can be tried as adults for heinous crimes such as rape, murder and terror-related acts. As political parties were divided over this legislation, it took the public outrage to push it through.