juvenile justice act
Young inmates of a government-run juvenile remand home watch an event attended by Bollywood star Salman Khan in Mumbai September 15, 2009. The remand home houses children who have committed petty crimes or have run away from home. [Representational Image]Reuters

The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the amended Juvenile Justice Bill, which allows 16-year-old children to be tried as adults in case of serious crimes.

The government suggested the amendment to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill 2014 in view of the increasing number of crimes committed by children aged between 16-18 years.

The amendment was opposed by Congress as soon as the Bill was introduced. Opposing the amendment, Parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor said that it will affect the children of poor families the most.

"A majority of children in conflict with law come from illiterate and poor families. These are the ones you are trying to punish instead of giving them education," Tharoor said, IANS reports.