New Delhi: In a landmark judgment on Wednesday, the Supreme Court of India ordered the release of a man who had spent 25 years in prison for a crime he committed at the age of 14. The case underscores significant systemic lapses in the country’s juvenile justice framework, as the individual was denied the protections guaranteed to minors under Indian law.
A bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and Aravind Kumar termed the prolonged incarceration a case of “gross injustice.” The court noted that the accused’s status as a juvenile at the time of the offence had been overlooked by courts at all levels, resulting in a tragic miscarriage of justice. In addition to ordering his immediate release, the Supreme Court directed the Uttarakhand government and the state legal services authority to facilitate his rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
The judgment reaffirmed the judiciary’s critical role in safeguarding the rights of juveniles, calling on courts to go beyond procedural formalities to ensure justice is served. The bench stressed the importance of upholding constitutional principles that prioritize child protection and welfare.
This ruling has broad implications for India’s juvenile justice system, highlighting the need to address systemic oversights and ensure that the law’s foundational principles are upheld in every case. It serves as a reminder to judicial and administrative authorities of their responsibility to protect the rights of minors and prevent similar injustices in the future.
