the ministry of women and child development began contemplating several desired amendments in 2011 and a process of consultation with various stake holders was initiated. the delhi gang rape case in december 2012 had tremendous impact on public perception of the act. one of the accused in the 2012 delhi gang rape was a few months younger than 18 years of age and under the act was tried in a juvenile court. eight writ petitions alleging the act and its several provisions to be unconstitutional were heard by the supreme court of india, prompting the juvenile court to delay its verdict. in the second week of july 2013 the supreme court dismissed the objections, holding the act to be constitutional. demands for a reduction of the age of juveniles from 18 to 16 years were also turned down by the supreme court, when the union of india stated that there is no proposal to reduce the age of a juvenile. on 31 august 2013 the case returned to the juvenile court and a sentence of 3 years in a reform home was handed down. the victim's mother criticized the verdict and said that by not punishing the juvenile the court was encouraging other teenagers to commit similar crimes.