Each Juvenile Justice Board consists of one first-class judicial magistrate and two social workers at least one of whom is a woman.[6] They are paid an honorarium. Terms last two years for those of ages 35–65.[7] To qualify as a board member, the applicant should have been engaged for seven years in the areas of health, education or other child welfare activities or should be a qualified professional with a degree from an accredited Institute and practicing in Law, Sociology, Psychology, or Psychiatry relating to children.[8]
Appeals against the Board's order can be made to theChildren's Court. Subsequently, orders of the Children's court can be appealed in the High Court.[12]
The Juvenile Justice Board has faced criticism in the trial of the2012 Delhi gang rape and murder. The juvenile defendant Mohammed Afroz was not allowed to be trial as adult, with the JJB rejecting the plea ofDelhi Police to conduct a bone ossification test.[13] Despite being labeled as the most brutal in the crime, he was subsequently sentenced to 3 years in a Juvenile Reform Facility, which earned criticism from activists and lawyers.[14][15] He was released in December 2015 after his term finished, and protests took place at the time of his release. Afroz's family ostracized him in the aftermath of his crime. Following his release, Afroz has been reported to be working as a cook somewhere in South India, while his identity through his photograph remains hidden for his safety.[16]
Following the arrest of the minor accused Vedant Agarwal in the2024 Pune Porsche hit-and-run case, which led to the death of 2 software engineers inKalyani Nagar,Pune he was granted bail by the JJB and asked to write a 300 word essay. The decision sparked nation-wide outrage and public outcry from political leaders and the general public.[17] Following the protests against the order, the bail was canceled and Agarwal was remanded back into custody of an observation home.Pune Police officials later moved to theBombay High Court to try Agarwal as an adult.[18] Subsequently, Agarwal was later granted bail by theMumbai High Court and was remanded into the care of his maternal aunt, which further sparked outrage.[19]
