MITHA LAL Vs. STATE OF RAJASTHAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) BY the instant criminal revision under Section 53 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (for short, -œthe Act - hereinafter -), on behalf of the petitioner, the order dated 19.12.2005 passed by the Sessions Judge, Udaipur (for short, -œthe Appellate Court - hereafter) in Criminal Appeal No. 194/2005 has been challenged, whereby the Appellate Court dismissed the appeal filed on behalf of the petitioner and affirmed the order dated 14.12.2005 passed by the Principal Magistrate, Juvenile Justice Board, Udaipur (for short, -œthe Juvenile Justice Board - hereinafter) passed in Criminal Case No. 381/2005.

(2.) THE facts of the case, relevant and necessary for decision of this revision petition are that complainant T.N. Narayanan lodged an FIR on 02.12.2005 with Police Station, Hiranmagri, Udaipur to the effect that when he came to home at 1:15 PM and called the bell, his wife did not response. He opened the door and when entered the house, he saw the goods scattered in the bed -room and his wife was found lying in an unconscious state having her hands and legs tied with cloth. He informed his neighbour Mathur and called the doctor on telephone. Dr. Goyal came and checked his wife. The police was informed telephonically. The police came and his wife was taken to the hospital where the doctors declared her dead. After investigation the police detained the petitioner and produced him before the Court. An application under Section 12 of the Act was filed on behalf of the petitioner for releasing him on bail on the ground that the petitioner is a minor of 14 years and his name does not find mention in the FIR. The Juvenile Justice Board, vide order dated 14.12.2005 dismissed the bail application on the ground that though the Probation Officer has reported that it is petitioners first offence, there is no information regarding his criminal antecedents and his conduct and behaviour are good but looking to the fact that the petitioner has left the study, his father is collecting cow -dung and doing labour work, mother does domestic works of cleaning the house and utensils etc. and his sister is also not going to school, the chances of petitioners coming in the contact of known criminals cannot be ruled out.

(3.) FROM the perusal of Section 12 of the Act, it is clear that a delinquent juvenile ordinarily has to be released on bail irrespective of nature of offence alleged to have been committed by him, unless, it is shown by evidence that if he is released on bail, there appear reasonable grounds for believing that the release of delinquent juvenile is likely to bring him into association with any known criminal or expose him to moral, physical or psychological danger or that his release would defeat the ends of justice. Section 12 of the Act is a special provision injucting the Courts from refusing bail to a delinquent juvenile except for the reasons stated in the section itself, i.e., if he be so released there are reasonable grounds for believing that he will come into association with any known criminal or expose him to moral, physical or psychological danger or that his release would defeat the ends of justice.