COIMBATORE: Four murder cases involving minors, who were arrested in Coimbatore over the past three months, have been transferred to a special court following a preliminary assessment by the juvenile justice board (JJB).The cases were transferred after the board examined the juveniles’ mental maturity, ability to understand the consequences of the alleged offences and their physical and psychological development, among other factors.Four juveniles were arrested in separate murder cases that occurred in the city and rural limits. Four minors were involved in separate cases — 52-year-old painter Manikandan’s murder in Singanallur on July 30, 22-year-old S Ashwin’s murder in Kinathukadavu in Coimbatore district on Aug 6, college student Amuthan’s murder near Othakkalmandapam in the district on Aug 10 and the murder of 58-year-old Shanthi near Pappanaickenpalayam in the city on Aug 12.While the juvenile justice system focuses primarily on rehabilitation rather than punishment, the law provides for a preliminary assessment in cases involving heinous offences. The assessment goes beyond the juvenile’s age. The board examined the child’s mental and physical capacity, maturity, state of mind at the time of the alleged offence, present mental condition, understanding of the consequences of the act and the circumstances leading to the crime.The JJB ordered the transfer of the four cases after the detailed assessment last week. The records were forwarded to a special court in Coimbatore for further legal action.JJB members have said the board does not treat juveniles as conventional offenders and that each case is assessed individually. “The board never approaches juveniles as criminals. In these four cases, the decision to transfer them was taken only after assessing their mental maturity and other relevant factors,” a JJB member said.
