Section 21 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023: Assessing Criminal Responsibility in Children Aged Seven to Twelve
Section 21 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, is a balanced approach to juvenile justice, balancing the requirement of accountability with the understanding of a child’s stage of development. It provides for the assessment of children aged seven to twelve years on an individual basis to ascertain their criminal responsibility, ensuring a just and equitable legal process.