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Legislation

Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000

90 Supreme Court judgments cite this Act.

SURESHversusTHE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH & ANR. R1: STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH R2: DEVI SINGH

2025 INSC 91831 July 2025Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant Suresh alleged that his paternal uncle and the uncle's son, Respondent No.2, forcibly entered his house and the son shot his brother Rajesh, resulting in death. Respondent No.2 claimed juvenility, asserting he was 16 years old at the time, based on a school transfer certificate from the first school he at

MUKARRAB ETC.versusSTATE OF U.P.

2016 INSC 108430 November 2016Dismissed

Mukarrab and Arshad were convicted for murder and related offences committed in 1994 and sentenced to life imprisonment. They later claimed they were juveniles at the time of the offence, invoking Section 7A of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, despite having raised the plea for the firs

UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERSversusRAMESH BISHNOI

2019 INSC 130229 November 2019Dismissed

Ramesh Bishnoi was selected for the post of Sub‑Inspector in the CISF and disclosed an FIR from 2009 alleging offences under IPC sections 354, 447 and 509 that were committed when he was a minor. He was acquitted in 2011 due to lack of evidence, but the screening committee cancelled his appointment on the ground of the

SUDESH KUMARversusSTATE OF UTTARAKHAND

2008 INSC 11329 January 2008Dismissed

Sudesh Kumar was convicted under IPC s.392 r/w s.34 and the Arms Act for a robbery committed on 7 March 1981 and sentenced to five years' rigorous imprisonment. He appealed, claiming benefit under Section 6 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, asserting that he was under 21 years of age at the time of the offence b

UPENDRA PRADHANversusSTATE OF ORISSA

2015 INSC 36228 April 2015Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant Upendra Pradhan was convicted for murder under IPC sections 302 and 34, based on the High Court's reversal of an acquittal granted by the Additional Sessions Judge. The appellant contended that he was a juvenile at the time of the offence and that the benefit of doubt should apply, also challenging the re

MOHAN MALI & ANR.versusSTATE OF M.P.

2010 INSC 25128 April 2010Disposed off

Mohan Mali and another were convicted under IPC sections 302, 324 and 326 and sentenced to life imprisonment. One co‑accused, Dhanna Lal (appellant No.2), claimed he was a juvenile at the time of the offence. The Supreme Court examined the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000,

BIJENDER SINGHversusSTATE OF HARYANA AND ANR.

2005 INSC 16028 March 2005Disposed off

An FIR was lodged for murder and related offences committed on 17‑11‑1999. The accused, aged 17 years and 8 months at the time, applied to be treated as a juvenile under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. The 1986 Juvenile Justice Act, then in force, defined a male juvenile as under 16, s

INDRAJIT DASversusTHE STATE OF TRIPURA

2023 INSC 17528 February 2023Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant Indrajit Das was convicted for murder under Sections 302, 34 and 201 of the IPC based largely on circumstantial evidence and extra‑judicial confessions. The prosecution alleged that the victim Kaushik Sarkar went missing after riding with the appellant and a juvenile, and that the accused assaulted and di

VIMAL CHADHAversusVIKAS CHOUDHARY AND ANOTHER

2008 INSC 73727 May 2008Appeal(s) allowed

The case involved the kidnapping, ransom demands and subsequent murder of Parkash Chadha. Respondent No.1, Vikas Choudhary, initially did not claim to be a juvenile but later applied for transfer to the Juvenile Justice Board, producing a school leaving certificate. The trial court relied on a medical bone‑age report a

SIKANDER MAHTOversusTUNNA @ TUNNU MIAN @ TUNNA MIAN @ MOBIN ANSARI & ANR.

2014 INSC 14827 February 2014Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant was charged with murder, attempt to murder and rape under Sections 302, 201 and 376 of the IPC. He claimed to be a juvenile, producing a school certificate that stated his date of birth as 15‑01‑1991, which would make him 15 years old at the time of the alleged crime (16‑11‑2006). The trial court deemed t

BHARAT BHUSHANversusSTATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

2013 INSC 28326 April 2013Disposed off

Bharat Bhushan was convicted by the Himachal Pradesh High Court for raping an 11‑year‑old girl under IPC s.376 and sentenced to five years' rigorous imprisonment and a fine. He contended that, being a juvenile (under 18) at the time of the offence, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, parti

PAWANversusSTATE OF UTTARANCHAL

2009 INSC 26826 February 2009Dismissed

The case involves the rape and murder of a six‑year‑old girl whose body was discovered after four accused were seen throwing it from a gunny bag. The trial court convicted the accused under IPC sections 302, 34, 201, 34, 376 and 377 based solely on circumstantial evidence and sentenced them to death, which the High Cou

UDE SINGH & ORS.versusSTATE OF HARYANA

2019 INSC 81025 July 2019Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined whether the continuous humiliation and taunting of an 18‑year‑old girl by her relatives amounted to abetment of suicide under Section 306 read with Section 34 of the IPC. The Court held that the accused’s repeated insults, aimed at destroying the victim’s self‑esteem, constituted instigation

SANJEEV KUMAR GUPTAversusTHE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH AND ANR.

2019 INSC 81625 July 2019Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, alleged that his son was murdered and that the accused, the second respondent, was a juvenile at the time of the offence. The accused claimed juvenility based on a CBSE matriculation certificate showing a birth date of 17‑12‑1998, while school records, a transfer certificate, Aadhaar

DEVILAL AND OTHERSversusSTATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

2021 INSC 11825 February 2021Disposed off

The case concerned the murder of Ganeshram in July 1998, for which Devilal, his son Gokul and Amrat Ram (AR) were charged under IPC s.302 r/w s.34 and the SC/ST Act. The trial court relied on the FIR as a dying declaration and on eyewitness testimony of the victim's wife (PW1) and sister‑in‑law (PW2), corroborated by r

DHARAMBIRversusSTATE (NCT OF DELHI) AND ANR.

2010 INSC 23823 April 2010Case Partly allowed

The appellant, Dharmabir, was convicted of murder and attempted murder committed in August 1991 when he was 16 years, 9 months old. At the time of the offences the Juvenile Justice Act, 1986 did not deem him a juvenile, but the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, which defines a juvenile as a

DINA NATH @ DAULATversusSTATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

2009 INSC 59123 April 2009Disposed off

The appellant, Dina Nath (Daulat), appealed against his conviction, asserting that he was a minor at the time of the offence committed on 15 June 1990, based on his claimed birth date of 6 March 1973. The sole issue before the Supreme Court was whether the appellant qualified as a "juvenile in conflict with law" under

EERATI LAXMANversusSTATE OF A.P.

2009 INSC 6123 January 2009Appeal(s) allowed

Eerati Laxman was convicted of murder under s.302 IPC for killing Pittala Chandrakala on 9 May 1994 and sentenced to life imprisonment. He contended that he was a juvenile under the Juvenile Justice Act, 1986, claiming his birth date was 10 May 1978, and thus had not attained the age of 16 at the time of the offence. T

DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY AND ORS.versusRAJU, THROUGH MEMBER, JUVENILE JUSTICE BOARD AND ANR.

2013 INSC 54922 August 2013

A gang‑rape on 16‑12‑2012 involved a juvenile who was placed before a Juvenile Justice Board (JJB). Dr. Subramanian Swamy and others approached the JJB seeking impleadment and an interpretation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 so that the juvenile could be tried as an adult. The JJB d

RAJUversusTHE STATE OF HARYANA

2019 INSC 25322 February 2019Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant Raju was convicted along with two others for gang-rape under IPC s.376(2)(g) and appealed, claiming he was a juvenile at the time of the offence. The High Court rejected his claim, finding insufficient evidence, and upheld the conviction. The Supreme Court directed its Registrar (Judicial) to conduct an a

PAWAN KUMARversusSTATE OF UTTAR PRADESH & ORS.

2023 INSC 101221 November 2023Appeal(s) allowed

Pawan Kumar was convicted of murder and attempt to murder (IPC ss.302, 307 read with s.34) and sentenced to life imprisonment and seven years rigorous imprisonment. He contended that he was a juvenile at the time of the offence (01‑12‑1995) and sought the benefit of the Juvenile Justice Act. The trial court and High Co

PAWAN KUMAR GUPTAversusSTATE OF NCT OF DELHI

2020 INSC 5520 January 2020Dismissed

Pawan Kumar Gupta, an accused in the Nirbhaya case, claimed he was a juvenile at the time of the offence on the basis of a school leaving certificate showing a birth date of 08‑10‑1996. He sought an enquiry under Section 7A of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, but the Metropolitan Magist

NAGOOR PICHAI @ BADUSHAversusSTATE TR. SUB-INSPECTOR OF POLICE

2013 INSC 64019 September 2013Dismissed

Nagoor Pichai @ Badusha was convicted under IPC s.302 for murdering his paternal uncle and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was 19 years 8 months old at the time of the offence and 22 years 9 months old at conviction. He applied for bail, contending that the Tamil Nadu Borstal Schools Act, 1925 should have been appli

RAMJI PRASAD JAISWAL @ RAMJEE PRASAD JAISWAL AND ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2025 INSC 73819 May 2025Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants, Ramji Prasad Jaiswal, Ashok Kumar Jaiswal and Bal Mukund Jaiswal, were convicted for a 1982 fraud against the State Bank of India under IPC sections 420, 468, 471, 120B and the Prevention of Corruption Act. During the trial, their statements under Section 313 of the CrPC were recorded by asking only fou

SUBODH NATH AND ANR.versusSTATE OF TRIPURA

2013 INSC 17619 March 2013Disposed off

The appellants Subodh Nath and Paritosh were convicted under Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC for the murder of Ashutosh. Paritosh was 16 years old at the time of the offence, raising the question of whether the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, as amended, applied to an offence committed befo

SHABNAM HASHMIversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2014 INSC 11119 February 2014Disposed off

Shabnam Hashmi filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking a declaration that the right to adopt and to be adopted is a fundamental right under Article 21 and that adoption should be permitted irrespective of religion, caste or creed. The petition also asked the Union of India to enact an optional law on adoption. T

RISHIPAL SINGH SOLANKIversusSTATE OF UTTAR PRADESH & ORS.

2021 INSC 75218 November 2021Dismissed

The appellant alleged that respondent No.2, Nishant Solanki, who was charged with serious offences including murder, was not a juvenile and challenged the Juvenile Justice Board's (JJ Board) declaration that he was a juvenile delinquent based on his matriculation certificate. The appellant argued that the admission for

RANJEET GOSWAMIversusSTATE OF JHARKHAND & ANR.

2013 INSC 63518 September 2013Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant Ranjeet Goswami was charged with offences under Sections 376, 302 and 201 of the IPC and claimed he was a juvenile at the time of the alleged offences, relying on a school leaving certificate showing a birth date of 10‑05‑1991. The Juvenile Justice Board, after obtaining a medical board opinion that the a

KETANKUMAR GOPALBHAI TANDELversusSTATE OF GUJARAT

2013 INSC 48418 July 2013Case Partly allowed

The appellant was convicted of murder and assault in 1995 and sentenced to life imprisonment and fines. At the time of the offence he was 17 years, 11 months and 5 days old, i.e., below 18 years. The issue was whether he should be treated as a juvenile under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2

BACHPAN BACHAO ANDOLANversusUNION OF INDIA & OTHERS

2011 INSC 30718 April 2011Hearing Adjourned

The Supreme Court entertained a public‑interest writ filed by Bachpan Bachao Andolan seeking protection for children employed in Indian circuses, who were subjected to physical, sexual and emotional abuse and denied education. The Court examined whether such employment violated the children’s fundamental rights, especi

CHILDLINE INDIA FOUNDATION & ANR.versusALLAN JOHN WATERS & ORS.

2011 INSC 22518 March 2011Appeal(s) allowed

The Supreme Court examined appeals filed by Childline India Foundation and the State of Maharashtra against the Bombay High Court’s order acquitting three accused of sexual and physical abuse of children in Anchorage Shelter Homes in Mumbai. The trial court had convicted the accused under IPC sections 377, 109, 1208, 1

SALIL BALIversusUNION OF INDIA & ANR.

2013 INSC 47417 July 2013Dismissed

The Supreme Court heard a batch of writ petitions challenging Sections 2(k), 2(1), 15, 16, 17, 19 and 21 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, on the ground that the age limit of 18 years for juveniles was arbitrary and violated Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, especially in the wa

SATISH @ DHANNAversusSTATE OF M.P. & ORS.

2009 INSC 54917 April 2009Appeal(s) allowed

Satish @ Dhanna, born on 12‑11‑1980, was convicted under IPC sections 147, 148, 149 and 302 for offences committed when he was under 18 years of age. The appeal questioned whether, after the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 came into force, he could be treated as a juvenile and enjoy its pro

MOHD. FEROZ KHAN@ FEROZversusSTATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

2015 INSC 104416 December 2015Appeal(s) allowed

The petitioner, Mohd. Feroz Khan, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment for a crime committed on 2 August 1999. He contended that he was 17 years old at the time of the offence and therefore fell within the ambit of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. The Supreme Court

MAHESH JOGIversusTHE STATE OF RAJASTHAN

2014 INSC 104316 December 2014Disposed off

Mahesh Jogi was convicted for an offence committed on 20 January 1985 when he was 17 years and 4 months old. The conviction and sentence were imposed before the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 came into force. The Supreme Court was asked to determine whether Jogi qualified as a juvenile und

NAND KLSHOREversusSTATE OF M.P.

2014 INSC 104116 December 2014Case Allowed

The petitioner, convicted under Section 302 of the IPC for a murder committed on 18 June 1997, claimed that he was only 17 years old at the time of the offence and therefore entitled to the benefits of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. The Supreme Court examined documentary and oral evid

THE STATE OF JAMMU & KASHMIR (NOW U.T. OF JAMMU & KASHMIR) & ORS.versusSHUBAM SANGRA

2022 INSC 120516 November 2022Appeal(s) allowed

The appeal arose from the Kathua gang‑rape case where the accused Shubam Sangra claimed to be a juvenile. The Chief Judicial Magistrate, relying on municipal and parental testimony, held him a minor, a decision affirmed by the High Court. The State appealed, arguing that contradictory documentary evidence required refe

KRISHANversusSTATE OF HARYANA

2014 INSC 40016 May 2014Dismissed

The appellant was convicted under Sections 376 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code for raping and intimidating the prosecutrix. The trial court and the High Court upheld the conviction based on medical testimony that semen was found on the victim's underwear and that the accused sustained injuries consistent with a strugg

JAMEELversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA

2007 INSC 4316 January 2007Dismissed

The appellant, a mechanic, lured a five‑year‑old girl, took her away and allegedly committed sexual assault, including intercourse through the rectum. The girl identified the accused the next day and a medical report corroborated the assault. The trial court convicted him under IPC sections 363, 376, 511 and 377, and t

ASHOK KUMAR MEHRA & ANR.versusTHE STATE OF PUNJAB ETC.

2019 INSC 52515 April 2019Disposed off

The father (Ashok Kumar Mehra) and son (Kushwant Kumar Mehra) were convicted of murder under IPC s.302/34 by the High Court, overturning an earlier acquittal. The son was 17 years and 5 months old at the time of the offence (born 14‑06‑1980, offence on 04‑01‑1998) and raised a plea of juvenility for the first time befo

KAMLENDRA SINGH @ PAPPU SINGHversusSTATE OF M.P.

2013 INSC 16515 March 2013Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, Kamlendra Singh (Pappu Singh), was convicted under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 341 (wrongful restraint) with a common intention charge. He contended that he was a juvenile at the time of the offence (27 August 1993) and produced a high‑school mark‑sheet and admission register showing a date

GAURAV KUMAR @ MONUversusTHE STATE OF HARYANA

2019 INSC 20815 February 2019Disposed off

Gaurav Kumar (Monu) was convicted for murder under IPC 302 for an incident that occurred on 23-24 May 2000. He claimed he was a juvenile at the time, relying on a school certificate showing a date of birth of 17 August 1982, while the municipal birth certificate recorded 17 August 1981. The Sessions Judge, after an inq

BACHPAN BACHAO ANDOLANversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2016 INSC 112414 December 2016Disposed off

Bachpan Bachao Andolan filed a public‑interest writ petition under Article 32 seeking a mandamus directing the Union of India to devise and implement a national action plan to curb drug, alcohol and substance abuse among children. The Court noted the alarming rise in substance use among India’s 44 crore children and th

MURARI THAKUR AND ANR.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2006 INSC 101514 December 2006Dismissed

The appellants Murari Thakur and Sudhir Thakur, along with a third accused, were convicted for the murder of a 14‑year‑old boy, Bal Krishna Mishra, on 26 August 1998. The prosecution proved that Murari held the victim's legs, Sudhir sat on his back, and the third accused cut the victim's throat, establishing a common i

LAKHAN LALversusSTATE OF BIHAR

2011 INSC 5014 January 2011Case Partly allowed

Lakhan Lal and Pappu Lal were convicted of murder under IPC s.302 read with s.34 and sentenced to life imprisonment. At the time of the offence (9 May 1985) they were about 16 years old, i.e., minors under the age of 18. The Supreme Court examined whether they could be treated as juveniles under the Juvenile Justice (C

ASHWANI KUMAR SAXENAversusSTATE OF M.P.

2012 INSC 39513 September 2012Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, Ashwani Kumar Saxena, was convicted of murder under IPC s.302 r.w. s.27 Arms Act and appealed, claiming he was a juvenile at the time of the offence (19‑Oct‑2008). He produced school mark‑sheets and the school admission register showing a birth date of 24‑Oct‑1990, while the trial court relied on ossific

OM PRAKASHversusSTATE OF RAJASTHAN AND ANR.

2012 INSC 17213 April 2012Appeal(s) allowed

The father of a 13½‑year‑old girl (appellant) appealed against the trial and High Court orders that allowed the accused, Vijay Kumar (respondent No.2), to be tried as a juvenile under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. The courts had relied on school records showing a birth date of 30‑06‑

R.D. UPADHYAYversusSTATE OF A.P. AND ORS.

2006 INSC 22513 April 2006Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined the plight of children who reside in jails with their mother‑prisoners, whether under‑trial or convicted, and found that existing provisions were inadequate. Relying on constitutional guarantees (Articles 14, 15, 21, 23, 24, 39, 42, 45, 46, 47) and international child‑rights norms, the Court

BHIM @ UTTAM GHOSHversusSTATE OF WEST BENGAL

2010 INSC 77412 November 2010Case Partly allowed

The appellant was convicted under Section 307 of the IPC for an offence committed on 6 March 1983, when he was about 15 years old. After serving part of his sentence, he challenged the conviction on the ground that he should be treated as a juvenile under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000

VINOD KATARAversusSTATE OF UTTAR PRADESH

2022 INSC 94912 September 2022Directions issued

Vinod Katara, convicted to life imprisonment for murder in 1982, later claimed he was a juvenile at the time of the offence based on a medical board report and a Family Register showing a birth year of 1968. He filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking relief under Section 7A of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Prot

JABAR SINGHversusDINESH & ANR.

2010 INSC 14512 March 2010Case Allowed

The appellant, father of a murder victim, challenged a High Court order that the accused (Respondent No.1) be tried as a juvenile under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. The accused had filed an application under Section 49 of the Act claiming he was under 18 on the date of the alleged o

BALU @ BAKTHVATCHALUversusSTATE OF TAMIL NADU

2008 INSC 17712 February 2008Case Allowed

The appellant, Balu (Bakthavatchalu), was convicted of murder under IPC 302 for an incident that occurred on 20 April 1998. The trial court recorded his age as 18 and rejected his application to be sent to a Borstal School. On appeal, the Supreme Court was asked to determine whether he was a juvenile at the time of the

RANJIT SINGHversusSTATE OF HARYANA

2008 INSC 103011 September 2008Dismissed

In 1993 Ranjit Singh, then about 17 years old, was convicted of murder and related offences under the IPC and sentenced to life imprisonment. He appealed, contending that he was a juvenile under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 and that Section 20 of that Act should apply to his pending

VIKAS CHAUDHARYversusSTATE OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR.

2010 INSC 49611 August 2010Dismissed

The accused Vikas Chaudhary and co‑accused abducted a young man, killed him and thereafter made repeated ransom calls to the victim's parents. The petitioner argued that the offence under IPC s.364A was completed at the time of abduction and that he was a juvenile when the offence was committed, invoking the Juvenile J

ABUZAR HOSSAIN @ GULAM HOSSAINversusSTATE OF WEST BENGAL

2012 INSC 46110 October 2012Reference answered

The appellant, Abuzar Hossain @ Gulam Hossain, claimed that he was a juvenile at the time of the alleged offence and therefore could not be tried in a regular criminal court. The claim was not raised in the trial or earlier appeals, and the question before the Supreme Court was whether a claim of juvenility under s.7A

JITENDRA SINGH @ BABBOO SINGH & ANR.versusSTATE OF U.P.

2013 INSC 45810 July 2013Case Partly allowed

The appellant was convicted under IPC sections 304B (dowry death) and 498A (cruelty) and sentenced to imprisonment and a fine. He later claimed to have been a juvenile at the time of the offence, asserting an age of 13 years 8 months, but documentary and medical evidence established his age as about 17 years, making hi

RAJU & ANR.versusSTATE OF HARYANA

2010 INSC 9410 February 2010Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined the conviction of two appellants, Raju and Mangli, under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code for the murder of Ishwar. The incident arose after the deceased misbehaved with women at a marriage ceremony, leading the accused to assault him; the co‑accused were armed with k

CHANDRA SHEKHAR BIND AND ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2001 INSC 4919 October 2001Dismissed

Eighteen persons were charged under Sections 302 and 302 read with 149 of the Indian Penal Code for the murder of Parshuram Bind and his father. The prosecution relied mainly on two eyewitnesses, PW5 and PW6, who identified all the accused except for Accused No.12 (not identified by PW5) and Accused Nos.9 and 10 (not i

SAMPURNA BEHURAversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2018 INSC 1259 February 2018Disposed off

Sampurna Behura filed a public‑interest writ petition under Article 32 seeking the implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Acts of 2000 and 2015, alleging that many states had failed to establish or properly staff Child Welfare Committees, Juvenile Justice Boards, Special Juvenile Polic

AMIT SINGHversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA & ANR.

2011 INSC 5528 August 2011Case Allowed

Amit Singh was convicted of multiple offences, including murder, and sentenced to life imprisonment. He filed a writ petition under Article 32, claiming that he was a juvenile (under 18) at the time of the offence on 1 May 1999, based on his birth certificate and school records showing a birth date of 10 May 1982. The

STEPHANIE JOAN BECKERversusSTATE AND ORS.

2013 INSC 848 February 2013Appeal(s) allowed

Stephanie Joan Becker, an American citizen, applied under Sections 7 and 26 of the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890, to be appointed guardian of a 10‑year‑old Indian orphan named Tina and to take her abroad for adoption. The trial court and the Delhi High Court rejected the applications, holding that Becker, at 53 years o

DARGA RAM @ GUNGAversusSTATE OF RAJASTHAN

2015 INSC 148 January 2015Case Partly allowed

The appellant, Darga Ram @ Gunga, was convicted by the trial court and the Rajasthan High Court for the rape and murder of a seven‑year‑old girl, Kamala, based on circumstantial evidence linking him to the crime scene, blood‑group matches, and injuries on his body. The Supreme Court examined whether the circumstantial

SATYA DEO @ BHOOREYversusSTATE OF UTTAR PRADESH

2020 INSC 5777 October 2020Directions issued

The appellant Satya Deo was convicted of murder under IPC s.302 r/w s.34 and sentenced to life imprisonment. He claimed he was a juvenile at the time of the offence (aged 16 years 7 months) and sought relief under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. The Supreme Court examined the applicabi

RAM NARAINversusSTATE OF U.P.

2015 INSC 5547 August 2015Appeal(s) allowed

Ram Narain was convicted under Section 302 IPC and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1978. After serving more than ten years, he applied before the Juvenile Justice Board, presenting a school transfer certificate that showed he was 15 years, 11 months old at the time of the 1976 murder. The Board declared him a juvenil

OM PRAKASH @ ISRAEL @ RAJU @ RAJU DASversusUNION OF INDIA AND ANOTHER

2025 INSC 437 January 2025Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, convicted of culpable homicide amounting to murder for a 1994 incident, claimed he was a minor at the time of the offence, asserting a plea of juvenility under s.9(2) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. Despite earlier courts treating him as an adult based on a bank‑accou

DAYA NANDversusSTATE OF HARYANA

2011 INSC 207 January 2011Disposed off

The appellant Daya Nano was convicted under Sections 376 r.w. and 511 of the IPC for rape and sentenced to five years' rigorous imprisonment. He was 16 years, 5 months and 19 days old at the time of the offence, but the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 came into force after the incident. The

HAKKIMversusSTATE REPRESENTED BY DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE

2014 INSC 5276 August 2014Disposed off

The accused A‑1 to A‑4 entered the residence of PW‑1 armed with knives and assaulted PW‑1, his family and a friend, resulting in the death of PW‑1’s wife Sayeeda. The trial court convicted them under Sections 302, 307, 149, 109, 324 and 449 of the Indian Penal Code and imposed life imprisonment and rigorous imprisonmen

SILAK RAM AND ANR.versusSTATE OF HARYANA

2007 INSC 8126 August 2007Dismissed

The appellants Silak Ram, Narotam alias Raja and Bijender alias Binder were convicted for the murder of Jagbir under Sections 302 and 34 IPC. The prosecution relied on three eye‑witnesses (PW10, PW11 and PW14); PW11’s testimony was found cogent and consistent with medical evidence, while PW10’s identification was imper

SRI GANESHversusSTATE OF TAMIL NADU AND ANR.

2017 INSC 346 January 2017Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant was accused of having sexual intercourse with the complainant on five to six occasions, allegedly on a false promise of marriage, the last of which occurred in August 2009. The trial court, relying on documentary evidence, held that the appellant was born on 19 October 1991 and was therefore a juvenile at

MAKKELLA NAGAIAHversusTHE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

2023 INSC 8005 September 2023Appeal(s) allowed

Makkella Nagaiah was convicted under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC for a murder committed on 21‑12‑2005 and sentenced to life imprisonment. He later filed a writ petition under Article 32 claiming that he was a juvenile at the time of the offence, asserting a date of birth of 02‑05‑1989, which would make

SHAH NAWAJversusSTATE OF U.P. & ANR.

2011 INSC 5485 August 2011Appeal(s) allowed

An FIR was lodged under Sections 302 and 307 IPC against Shah Nawaj. His mother applied to the Juvenile Justice Board claiming he was a minor, relying on his school mark sheet and school leaving certificate showing a birth date of 18‑06‑1989. The Board declared him a juvenile, but the Additional Sessions Judge and the

RAM SURESH SINGHversusPRABHAT SINGH @ CHHOTU SINGH & ANR.

2009 INSC 6795 May 2009Dismissed

The appellant, Ram Suresh Singh, appealed against a High Court order that held the accused, Prabhat Singh, to be a juvenile on the basis of school admission register entries showing a birth date of 10‑02‑1987. The trial magistrate had appointed a Medical Board which estimated the accused's age to be over 20 years, but

HARI RAMversusSTATE OF RAJASTHAN & ANR.

2009 INSC 6935 May 2009Appeal(s) allowed

Hari Ram was arrested in 1998 for offences under the IPC and the trial court initially held him to be a juvenile (under 16) and sent the case to the Juvenile Justice Board. The Rajasthan High Court later held he was over 16 and applied the 1986 Juvenile Act, rejecting the claim of juvenility. On appeal, the Supreme Cou

AJAHAR ALIversusSTATE OF WEST BENGAL

2013 INSC 6764 October 2013Dismissed

In 1995 Ajahar Ali forcibly grabbed the hair of 16‑year‑old Nasima Begum, kissed her and caused a cut on her lip. He was convicted under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced to six months’ simple imprisonment and a fine. The appellant appealed, arguing that the 18‑year delay, his juvenile status at the ti

BABLA @ DINESHversusSTATE OF UTTARAKHAND

2012 INSC 3734 September 2012Case Partly allowed

The appellant, Babla @ Dinesh, was convicted by a trial court and sentenced to life imprisonment under Sections 302 and 149 of the IPC for a murder committed on 1‑12‑1991. He contended that he was a juvenile at the time of the offence, but the High Court rejected the plea on the ground that it was not raised before the

SURAJDEO MAHTO AND ANR.versusTHE STATE OF BIHAR

2021 INSC 3794 August 2021Case Partly allowed

The State of Bihar prosecuted Surajdeo Mahto (Appellant No.1) and Prakash Mahto (Appellant No.2) for the murder of Arun under sections 302 r/w 34 and 120B IPC, with Appellant No.1 also charged under section 364 IPC. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, chiefly the "last seen" theory, motive stemming from

JYOTI PRAKASH RAI @ JYOTI PRAKASHversusSTATE OF BIHAR

2008 INSC 2944 March 2008Dismissed

The appellant Jyoti Prakash Rai was convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC for killing a schoolmate on 12 May 2000. At the time of the offence the trial magistrate estimated his age to be about 17 years, but the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 came into force on 1 April 2001, raising the

VIJENDRA SINGHversusSTATE OF UTTAR PRADESH

2017 INSC 194 January 2017Disposed off

The case concerned the murder of Badan Pal, a student, at a tube‑well shed where the deceased was shot. The prosecution proved that four accused, including Mahendra Singh and Vijendra Singh, were present in the shed; two were armed with pistols while Mahendra carried a lathi and Vijendra a ballam. The trial court convi

BABLOO PASIversusSTATE OF JHARKHAND & ANR.

2008 INSC 11243 October 2008Appeal(s) allowed

Rajesh Mahatha was arrested for offences under Sections 304B and 306 of the IPC and claimed to be a juvenile, seeking protection under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. The Juvenile Justice Board, after obtaining a medical board opinion that his age was between 17‑18 years and noting a v

JODHBIR SINGHversusSTATE OF PUNJAB

2012 INSC 3713 September 2012Appeal(s) allowed

Jodhbir Singh was arrested for possession of 2 kg of heroin under the NDPS Act. He claimed to be a juvenile at the time of the offence, producing a school leaving certificate and a State Council certificate showing his date of birth as 20‑07‑1996. The Sessions Court and the High Court rejected his claim, relying on his

XYZversusABHISHEIK & ANR

2022 INSC 9052 September 2022Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant XYZ, a minor, alleged that she was gang‑raped by the first respondent ABHISHEIK and others. The FIR was lodged on 24 July 2015. The accused claimed he was a juvenile at the time of the offence and produced a matriculation certificate, a school birth register entry and a municipal birth certificate, all of

UNION OF INDIA & ORS.versusEX-GNR AJEET SINGH

2013 INSC 2062 April 2013Appeal(s) allowed

The respondent, a serving army soldier, was tried by a General Court Martial (GCM) for six offences including absence without leave, theft of ammunition and possession of a counterfeit seal, receiving dismissal and seven years' rigorous imprisonment. He contended that some offences were committed while he was a juvenil

PRATAP SINGHversusSTATE OF JHARKHAND AND ANR.

2005 INSC 582 February 2005Disposed off

The appellant Pratap Singh was charged with offences allegedly committed on 31‑12‑1998 and was produced before the Juvenile Court in 2000. The key issues were whether the age of a juvenile offender should be reckoned as of the date of the offence or the date of production before the court, and whether the Juvenile Just

MUMTAZ @ MUNTYAZversusSTATE OF U.P. (NOW UTTARAKHAND)

2016 INSC 4831 July 2016Disposed off

The appellants Mumtaz alias Muntyaz and Dilshad alias Pappu were convicted under Sections 302 and 34 IPC for setting fire to the victim Pawan Kumar, who later died of burn injuries. The prosecution relied on eyewitness testimony and a dying declaration recorded by a Sub‑Divisional Magistrate, which was endorsed by a do

JARNAIL SINGHversusSTATE OF HARYANA

2013 INSC 3781 July 2013Dismissed

The appellant Jarnail Singh was convicted under IPC sections 366, 376(g) and 120‑B for kidnapping and raping a girl who was later found to be a minor. The Supreme Court examined the prosecution's evidence, including the victim's statements under Section 164 CrPC, forensic reports, and corroboration by her father, and r

VIKRAM SINGHversusSTATE OF HARYANA

2009 INSC 6601 May 2009Case Partly allowed

Vikram Singh was convicted in 1998 for a crime committed on 20‑02‑1996 and sentenced to life imprisonment. He contended that he was a juvenile at the time of the offence, being born on 04‑05‑1980, and therefore entitled to the benefits of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 as amended in 20

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