Consider the following statements regarding child rights and child protection:
- 1. Article 21-A of the Constitution of India (86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002) makes free and compulsory education for all children in the age group of 6 to 14 years a fundamental right.
- 2. According to the 'Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015', under no circumstances can a juvenile aged 16 to 18 years in conflict with the law be tried as an adult in cases of heinous crimes.
- 3. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has been constituted under the 'Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005', whose main function is to protect child rights in the country and investigate complaints related to their violation.
- 4. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act) provides for stringent punishment in cases of child sexual abuse and under this law, it is legally mandatory to keep the identity of the victimized child confidential.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Detailed Explanation & Solution
Statement 1 is correct because Article 21-A was added by the 86th Amendment of the Constitution, 2002, which makes education a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14 years. Statement 2 is incorrect because after the 2015 amendment, in cases of heinous crimes, adolescents aged 16 to 18 years can be tried as adults upon assessment by the Juvenile Justice Board. Statement 3 is correct; NCPCR was established under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. Statement 4 is correct; the POCSO Act, 2012 provides protection against sexual abuse of children and makes it mandatory to keep the victim's identity secret. Therefore, the correct option is A.