The Delhi government in its recommendations to Justice J.S. Verma Committee, constituted by the government to review and strengthen anti-rape and sexual offences laws, has reportedly sought lowering the age of juvenile offenders from 18 to 16 years.
The panel was formed to review anti-rape and sexual-offences laws in view of the brutal gangrape and subsequent death of a 23-year-old paramedic student.
Sources close to the chief minister said that the government also sought to fix accountability of the police officials in case of failure to prevent such incidents.
“We had received a confidential letter from the Justice J.S. Verma committee and after discussions, we have send the recommendations to them on Tuesday,” Ms Dikshit said. She, however, denied disclosing any recommendations citing the letter is confidential.
Ms Dikshit and her son Sandeep Dikshit were continuously demanding action on the top brass of the Delhi police. Mr Dikshit also sought resignation of the Delhi police commissioner. Sources also said that the CM, who is also unhappy with the Delhi police over lathicharge and use of teargas on protesters, in the recommendations to the committee, suggested various steps to prevent such incidents and also batted for social awareness campaigns to curb violence against women.
Earlier on Saturday, Delhi education and women and child development minister Kiran Walia also insisted to scrutinise the juvenile age and curtail it to 16 years.