Relevance of Dharma in Rehabilitation of Juvenile Delinquents: A Practical Approach to Reformation

The rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law has become a central concern of the Indian juvenile justice system, which seeks to balance accountability with opportunities for social reintegration. This paper examines whether the ethical principles embodied in the Indian concept of Dharma can contribute to strengthening contemporary rehabilitative practices. It analyses the evolution of juvenile justice legislation in India alongside classical legal sources, including the Manusmriti, Yajnavalkya Smriti, Narada Smriti, Brihaspati Smriti, and Kautilya's Arthashastra, to identify enduring ideas relating to compassion, moral responsibility, proportionality, and corrective justice. The study further evaluates the practical challenges affecting the implementation of rehabilitation under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, such as inadequate institutional capacity, limited counselling services, and weak community participation. By comparing these issues with selected international rehabilitation models, the paper argues that a value-based yet rights-oriented approach can enhance the effectiveness of existing legal mechanisms. It concludes that integrating ethical guidance with evidence-based rehabilitation strategies may improve the reintegration of juvenile offenders while preserving the constitutional commitment to child welfare and restorative justice.