RS takes up Juvenile Justice Bill as Nirbhaya's parents watch

New Delhi, Dec 22 (UNI) The Rajya Sabha today took up a Bill for discussion to lower the age of juveniles accused in rape cases as the parents of the December 16 rape victim witnessed the proceedings from the visitors gallery. The Bill has come up for the discussion amid raging debate of lowering the age of juvenile accused from 18 to 16 years to ensure that juvenile convicts of horrendous rapes do not walk free getting paltry sentence as had happened in the December 16 incident. The parents of braveheart Jyoti Singh, who became a symbol of fight against rape and known as Nirbhaya, have been running from pillar to post, today reached the highest chamber of democracy to witness the debate on the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Bill, 2015. The Bill seeks to consolidate and amend the law relating to "children alleged and found to be in conflict with law" and children in need of care and protection. Women and Child Welfare Minister Maneka Gandhi moved the Bill for consideration which has already been cleared by the Lok Sabha. More UNI MK SB/RSA 1424