Delhi HC seeks IB report over ‘radicalization’ of December 16 gangrape juvenile convict

The Delhi High Court today issued notice to the Home Ministry, Law Ministry and the Juvenile Justice Board over a plea preferred by Dr. Subramanian Swamy opposing the release of the juvenile convicted in the December 16 gang rape, now known as the ‘Nirbhaya’ case..Swamy’s opposition to the juvenile’s release is on the ground that the juvenile was allegedly in close contact with a suspected militant in the juvenile home and his release, which is due on December 15, could, therefore, pose a danger to the society at large..Swamy also submitted in Court that as per certain provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act of 2000, it was possible to extend the stay of the juvenile in the home for a period of two more years..A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice RS Endlaw, which heard the matter today, directed the Union government to produce vigilance reports of the Intelligence Bureau which would shed more light on the alleged ‘radicalization’ of the juvenile. The said report is to be submitted to the Court in a sealed cover..The Court also directed ASG Sanjay Jain, who appeared for the Central government, to take specific instructions on whether a Management Committee is operative under the JJ Act and if there is one, then what measures are being contemplated by the Committee for the “post-release treatment” of the juvenile. The matter will now be heard on December 14.