New Delhi, PTI, New Delhi | Updated: Mar 17, 2013 00:22 IST

Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir on Saturday said public sentiments akin to “baying for blood” of the juvenile accused in the Delhi gangrape and murder case before the conclusion of trial is unfortunate.

Describing the December 16 incident as “ghastly”, Justice Kabir also said the knee-jerk reaction of the general public against the juvenile was wrong.

He was speaking at an International Colloquium on juvenile justice. Justice Kabir also blamed the media for allegedly whipping up sentiments of public against the juvenile by projecting him as the most brutal among all accused.

“It is not new and such incidents have happened earlier also. But unfortunately the media this time came out saying that the juvenile was the most brutal before evidence was produced and trial started,” he said.

He said various versions were coming to the fore about the incident and the media should wait for the completion of the trial in the case.

He said juvenile delinquents should be brought to the mainstream and made useful citizens.

Rights of child should be protected as they are the future of the country, he added.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/chunk-ht-ui-indiasectionpage-delhigangrape/portrayal-of-juvenile-in-media-unfortunate/article1-1027633.aspx