UP: 16-yr-old rape accused to be tried as adult

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Circle Officer, City, Shailendra Lal, meanwhile, said that the accused was arrested on Thursday and sent to the district jail instead of the juvenile home.”We have requested the court to treat the accused as an adult under the amended Juvenile Justice Act,” he told The Indian Express.

The Rajya Sabha had on December 20, 2015 passed the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, which permits juveniles between the ages of 16-18 years to be tried as adults for heinous offences, including rape and murder.

Earlier, the victim’s father lodged a complaint at Elaau police station, accusing the 16-year-old boy from his village of raping the girl when she had gone to graze cattle on Thursday afternoon, the circle officer said. The victim was sent to Mahila Hospital for medical examination.

As per the police, chief medical superintendent Dr Nimmi Begum, who was present at the Mahila Hospital, refused to conduct the medico-legal test. “She even refused to admit the minor, who had sustained internal injuries. It was only after the intervention of the DM that she admitted her. On Friday, the victim was sent to Saifai PGI,” the CO said.

Asked why Nimmi Begum refused to conduct the medico-
legal examination, CMO K K Sharma said: “As per government order, a doctor above 55 years of age cannot be forced to conduct a medico-legal test. the chief medical superintendent (Dr Nimmi Begum) is 59 years old. Another doctor posted at the hospital was out of the district Thursday.” He, however, said they have begun an inquiry as per the DM’s order.