New Delhi: The union cabinet on Wednesday approved amendments to the Juvenile Justice Act which paves the way for children in the age group of 16-18 years to be tried as adults if they commit heinous crimes. The amendment to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill 2014 was approved at a meeting of the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

"Keeping in view the increasing number of serious offences being committed by persons in the age group of 16-18 years and recognizing the rights of the victims as being equally important as the rights of juveniles, special provisions were proposed to tackle heinous offences committed by individuals in this age group," an official statement said.