DELHI HC SLAMS STATE GOVT FOR NOT TERMINATING INQUIRIES AGAINST MINORS IN PETTY OFFENCES

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the state government over not taking any steps relating to termination of inquiries, alleging petty offences against juveniles, which are pending and remains inconclusive for longer than one year, before the Juvenile Justice Boards (JJB).

A Division Bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Anup Jairam Bhambhani remarked that juveniles can’t wait and the Delhi government may take as much time as it wants but cannot put children on hold. The sharp remark came when Delhi Government sought ten days time to produce juveniles before Boards as some amendments in rules are in process.

Delhi government response came on query put up by High Court. The High Court has sought to know till when will the minors involved in alleged petty offences be presented before the JJB.

The Court also remarked why the JJB is finding it difficult to comply with our order and said “We cannot turn a blind eye to it.”

The Court noted the conduct of the government was unsatisfactory.

However, it granted a week’s time to the government to file an affidavit mentioning the steps taken by it for compliance with the Court’s earlier order.

The Delhi High court has earlier ordered the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) to terminate all inquiries, alleging petty offences against juveniles, which are pending and remains inconclusive for longer than one year, with immediate effect.

While pronouncing the verdict, it said, “In all cases alleging petty offences against children/juveniles, where the inquiry has been pending and remains inconclusive for longer than one year, regardless of whether the subject child/juvenile has been produced before the JJB, all such inquiries shall stand terminated with immediate effect.”

The Court had also made it clear that any children/juveniles detained in relation to such inquiries, shall be released immediately without waiting for recording the formal order.