The Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 is a law made to handle crimes involving children in a way that is child-friendly, while also being strict in serious cases.
Key Points:
- A “juvenile” means a person below 18 years of age.
- Children are divided into two categories:
- Children in conflict with law (those who commit crimes).
- Children in need of care and protection (abandoned, abused, or lost kids).
- For serious crimes (like murder or rape), juveniles aged 16–18 can be tried as adults if the court feels they understood their crime.
- Focus is on reform, not punishment – children are sent to rehabilitation homes, not jail.
- Special Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) and Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) are created to handle such cases.
- Adoption rules were also included to simplify and regulate legal adoptions.
Purpose:
To balance child protection and justice, and ensure children who commit crimes are given a chance to reform rather than being treated like adult criminals.
FAQs - Juvenile Justice Act, 2015
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Q. What is the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015?
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A. It's a law made to handle crimes involving children and to protect those who are abandoned, abused, or in need.
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Q. Who is called a juvenile under this law?
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A. Any person who is below 18 years of age.
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Q. What does “child in conflict with law” mean?
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A. A child who has committed a crime.
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Q. What does “child in need of care and protection” mean?
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A. A child who is lost, abused, orphaned, or neglected.
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Q. Can a 16-year-old be punished like an adult?
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A. Yes, only for serious crimes like rape or murder, after assessment by the Juvenile Justice Board.
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Q. Is the focus on punishment or reform?
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A. Reform. Children are sent to rehabilitation homes, not regular jails.
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Q. What is a Juvenile Justice Board (JJB)?
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A. A special board that hears cases involving children in conflict with law.
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Q. What is a Child Welfare Committee (CWC)?
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A. A body that takes care of children who need protection or are abandoned.
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Q. Are children sent to jail under this Act?
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A. No, they are sent to Observation Homes or Special Homes for care and reform.
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Q. What is the punishment for juveniles in serious cases?
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A. Up to 3 years in a special home, but for heinous crimes (16–18 years), they may be tried as adults.
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Q. What if a 17-year-old commits murder?
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A. The JJB will assess mental maturity. If found capable, they may face trial like an adult.
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Q. Is this law applicable to both boys and girls?
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A. Yes, it applies to all children under 18, regardless of gender.
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Q. What are the rights of a juvenile in police custody?
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A. They must be treated with care, not tortured, and kept separate from adult criminals.
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Q. What happens to an abandoned child?
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A. The child is placed under the care of CWC and may be sent to a children’s home or put up for adoption.
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Q. Is adoption covered under this Act?
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A. Yes, the Act includes clear rules for legal adoption through Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA).
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Q. Can parents be punished under this law?
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A. Yes, if they abuse, neglect, or abandon their children.
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Q. What’s the maximum punishment under this law?
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A. For juveniles: 3 years in a special home (except in adult-trial cases). For others (e.g., abusers), punishment can go up to life imprisonment.
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Q. Can a child file a complaint?
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A. Yes, children can report abuse or seek protection through helplines or CWCs.
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Q. Are there special lawyers or judges for juvenile cases?
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A. Yes, juvenile courts and boards have specially trained officials to deal with children.
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Q. Is the Juvenile Justice Act the same in all states?
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A. Yes, it is a central law, applicable across India.
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