Juvenile justice, rooted in the principle of restorative rather than retributive punishment, acknowledges that children possess a distinct psychological and moral makeup which merits differential treatment. The Indian juvenile justice system has witnessed significant evolution from the Juvenile Justice Act, 1986 to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 [hereinafter, “JJ Act, 2015”]. This legislation codifies rights-based principles in line with international treaties such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). DEFINITION AND CLASSIFICATION: WHO IS A JUVENILE? Section 2(12) of the JJ Act, 2015 defines a “child” as a person who has not completed eighteen years of age. A “child in conflict with law” under Section 2(13) is one who is alleged or found to have committed an offence and has not completed eighteen years on the [Read More]

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