Coimbatore has seen four murder cases in the last three months in which minors were arrested as accused. Following an assessment by the district Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), these cases have now been ordered to be transferred to a special court.
Officials noted that in recent times, the number of minors getting involved in serious offences has been rising, including crimes such as sexual assault and murder. The JJB typically focuses on reform and rehabilitation rather than treating children as criminals, often taking decisions aimed at protecting education and future prospects.
However, authorities said some offenders exploit the “juvenile” shield, and in grave cases the Board conducts a detailed evaluation instead of relying only on age. The assessment includes the child’s mental maturity, intent, state of mind during the offence and at present, understanding of consequences, physical and psychological development, medical reports, and behaviour prior to the incident.
Based on the findings of the panel led by Principal Magistrate Arun Kumar, with members Jennifer Pushpalatha and Chandran, the four cases were recommended for transfer and the files were forwarded for legal action. The Board reiterated that it does not approach children as criminals, and that the decision was taken only after a comprehensive review of the accused minors’ maturity and capabilities.
