Number of juvenile offenders in the country has seen a rise. (Representational Image)
Number of juvenile offenders in the country has seen a rise from 36,822 in 2012 to 48,230 last year, Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.
"According to the National Crime Records Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, the number of juvenile apprehended under the Indian Penal Code and Special Local Laws, crime has increased.
In the year 2012, 39,822 juveniles were apprehended whereas in 2013, the number increased to 43,506 and further increased to 48,230 in 2014," Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said in a reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.
The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2000 and Central Model Rules, 2007 thereunder provides for various measures for rehabilitation and social reintegration of juveniles by setting up Observation Homes and Special Homes.
"The Act provides for mandatory registration of these Homes for enforcing Standards of Care as envisaged under the Act and Rules. Under Section 35 of the Act, Inspection Committee are formed by state governments at state and district level for the inspection of Child Care Institution," she said.
Ms Gandhi had also written to the law minister to enact a law for mandatory registration of sex offenders, earlier this month, who have served their punishment so as to allow surveillance by local police.