Supreme Court Overrides Juvenile Status in 2011 Murder Case
The Supreme Court annulled previous rulings by the Allahabad High Court and a trial court that declared an accused in a 2011 murder case as a juvenile. It determined he was an adult at the time of the crime, ordering his trial as a major with an expected conclusion by July 2026.
- Country:
- India
In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court has overturned judgments by both the Allahabad High Court and a trial court that classified a murder accused as a juvenile during the 2011 crime. The new ruling asserts that the accused was, in fact, an adult at the time, necessitating a retrial.
The bench, comprising Justices Pankaj Mithal and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, highlighted discrepancies in age records, with school and family register data contradicting each other. A medical board's report further contested the juvenile status, pegging the accused's age at around 22 during the alleged offense.
As a result, the Supreme Court has directed the trial court to expedite the proceedings, with the trial to be concluded by July 2026. This decision underscores the importance of rigorous evaluation in juvenile claims, impacting future interpretations under juvenile laws.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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