Rapid Fire
Claim of Juvenility
- 10 Oct 2024
- 1 min read
Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that juvenility can be claimed at any stage of criminal proceedings, including after the conviction has become final.
- The court pointed out that juvenility is a right and not subject to waiver due to delays or procedural technicalities.
- The court held that even a final judgement does not prevent a reevaluation of the case if juvenility is in question.
- Section 94 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 allows juvenility claims to be raised even post-conviction, ensuring that the rights of juveniles are protected regardless of procedural delays.
- Similarly, in the Abuzar Hossain Vs State of West Bengal Case, 2012, the Supreme Court had allowed juvenility claims at any stage of legal proceedings.
- As per the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 a juvenile is defined as a person who has not completed eighteen years of age.
- Juveniles aged 16-18 years would be tried as adults, if charged with heinous crimes.
Read More: Issue with the Juvenile Justice Amendment Act, 2021
