The legal age for defining `juvenile’ in criminal cases should be lowered to 14 from the current 18 years, Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said Today (Oct 3). He would discuss this issue with Union home minister Amit Shah, he said, speaking to reporters at Baramati in Pune district, his assembly constituency. The two college students who allegedly hacked a friend to death in Baramati recently were 17 years old, he noted, and pointed out that under the current criminal law a stringent punishment can be awarded only if an accused is above 18.
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PUNE: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar called for lowering the legal age defining a “juvenile” in criminal cases from the current 18 years to 14. Speaking to reporters in Baramati, his assembly constituency in Pune district, Pawar highlighted recent incidents involving minors and emphasized the need for stricter legal provisions.
He referenced a recent case where two college students, both 17 years old, allegedly hacked a friend to death in Baramati. Under the current criminal law, stringent punishment is only applicable if the accused is over 18 years old. Pawar also pointed out another case from May this year, where a 17-year-old son of a builder mowed down two people while driving a Porsche in Pune.
“Earlier, the age group of 18 to 20 years was considered appropriate for determining adulthood. However, times have changed, and children today are far more aware and informed. Young kids now ask questions that we could not have thought of until after the fifth grade. Some officials believe that the age threshold should be lowered from 18 to 14,”
-Pawar said, indicating a shift in perspective regarding the capabilities and awareness of young people.
He added,
“Seventeen-year-olds are well aware that they can escape severe punishment after committing a crime (due to their age). It has been observed that 15-, 16-, or 17-year-old youngsters are increasingly involved in criminal activities. We need to communicate this concern to the Centre when new laws are drafted.”
Pawar plans to raise this issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in an upcoming meeting and will also formally write to the Centre to push for a change in legislation. Additionally, he intends to discuss this concern with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Pawar’s remarks highlight the growing concern about juvenile involvement in serious crimes and suggest a potential re-evaluation of how the law treats minors in the Indian legal system.
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