Kollam: Ramesh Chennithala stated that minors under the age of eighteen involved in serious crimes should not be allowed to evade legal proceedings and rightful punishment solely on the basis of their age. Given the growing public concern over serious crimes involving children, he emphasized the need to review and amend the existing Juvenile Justice Act. He said detailed discussions would be held with legal experts regarding the necessary amendments to the law. While it is essential to consider the age, mental state, and social background of children committing offenses, those involved in grave crimes should not be permitted to misuse legal protections to avoid accountability, he asserted. Chennithala highlighted the importance of ensuring both the protection and rehabilitation of children, alongside guaranteeing that legal actions are commensurate with the severity of the offenses. Since the Juvenile Justice Act is a central legislation, the state government faces legal constraints in unilaterally amending its fundamental provisions, necessitating intervention at the central government level for such changes. He underscored the need for in-depth discussions with legal scholars on the current provisions of the law, their practical limitations, and the options available for action against minors involved in serious criminal acts. He called for a serious examination of the rising trend of crimes involving children and insisted that evolving social situations and shifts in the nature of crimes must be reflected in legislative reforms. Chennithala stressed that while protecting children’s rights remains paramount, ensuring that victims receive justice is equally critical. He pointed out that all crimes involving minors should not be treated identically; factors such as the nature and severity of the crime and the role of the accused must be analysed. Currently, the Juvenile Justice Act provides for specific preliminary assessments and subsequent legal procedures for certain heinous crimes committed by individuals aged between 16 and 18. Under these circumstances, there is a need to evaluate how effective the existing law is and whether further amendments are necessary. Commenting on the Cheranalloor case, he noted that the judge observed it as involuntary manslaughter. He urged that the legal responses and the gravity of offenses in such cases require careful consideration. Addressing road safety concerns in the aftermath of the Kakkannoor bus accident, Chennithala criticized the state’s road safety infrastructure. He described the lack of adequate protection for pedestrians in Kerala as a grave problem. He insisted that it was unacceptable for ordinary road users to lack sufficient safety and security. The loss of pedestrian lives due to negligence, particularly by intoxicated drivers, must be treated with utmost seriousness. He demanded stringent legal measures that establish the accountability of offenders rather than dismissing such incidents as ordinary traffic accidents. Chennithala expressed full agreement with recent observations made by the High Court regarding road safety. He categorically stated that driving under the influence of alcohol should never be condoned. Along with strict enforcement against lawbreakers, those responsible for accidents must face severe legal penalties. The need to rigorously implement existing laws to prevent road accidents and enhance pedestrian safety was also highlighted by him. He stressed that every individual has the right to travel safely on public roads and that authorities must exercise heightened vigilance to guarantee this right. In his remarks, Chennithala emphasized the critical necessity of effective legal intervention in cases involving serious crimes committed by minors and accidents caused by drunk driving. He maintained that, given the gravity of crimes, establishing legal liability and prioritizing justice for victims are indispensable.
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Original Malayalam report: Malayalam Daily News
