India to lower age for putting youths on trial for criminal offences

[NEW DELHI] India on Tuesday passed a bill lowering the age at which youths can be put on trial for criminal offences following the 2012 fatal gang rape of a 23-year-old woman on a Delhi bus by five adults and a minor.

The upper house of parliament passed the bill after the release last week of the minor convicted in the case sparked outrage and debate over whether the country was too soft on young offenders.

The lower house had already approved the proposal.

REUTERS