Nirbhaya case: Delhi police to book juvenile under NSA?

Delhi police is contemplating to book the juvenile convicted in Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case under the National Security Act.

On December 16, the juvenile will complete 3 years sentence in correctional home as Delhi cops seek opinion if detention can pass judicial scrutiny.

After receiving a complaint from the parents of the 23-year-old physiotherapy intern who was gangraped and murdered on December 16, 2012, the National Human Rights Commission on Tuesday issued notices to the Centre and the Delhi government seeking information about the release of the juvenile convicted in the case, reportedly in December. The juvenile is due to come out of the remand home in less than a month. The NHRC has copies of the government’s plans on the juvenile after he is released.

In its notices, the rights panel said laws dealing with women and children should be “strengthened” and added that the complainants had also stated that the “rate of recidivism” – committing crimes again – was “fairly high”.

The fee has additional directed the chief secretary of Delhi that he shall additionally inform whether or not any pre-launch and submit launch plan as per Rule 17(3) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules, 2007 has been ready within the case of the juvenile?

It issued the notices with a copy of the complaint to the secretary, government of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, the commissioner of police, Delhi, and the secretary in the Union ministry of home affairs, and sought reports within two weeks. They have also asked for strengthening of the law on the subject. They have additionally cited the SORNA (Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act) which operates in nations reminiscent of US, Canada and others. “The fears expressed by them need to be looked into”, the NHRC said.

The Intelligence Bureau (IB) will also keep a watch on the convict on the suspicion that he was indoctrinated by his cell mate, a Kashmiri youth involved in the Delhi High Court blast in 2011.

The commission has asked the Delhi government whether the convict’s mental health has been assessed recently. Hence, the IB wants to confirm that he is de-radicalised before his release. The report said that the teenager was being motivated for jihad.