JUDGMENT
Shiv Kumar Sharma, J.
1. Since the controversy involved in the instant appeal attracts the provisions contained in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (for short ‘the J.J. Act’), we proceed to dispose of the matter finally at the orders stage.
2. As per the prosecution story, the appellant was indicted in criminal case registered at the police station Beawar on October 12, 1998. He was arrested and on completion of investigation, charge sheet was filed. In due course the case came up for trial before the learned Additional Sessions Judge (Fast Track), Beawar. Charges under Sections 302/34, 307/34, 460/34, 459/34, and 324/34 IPC were framed against the appellant, who denied the charges and claimed trial. The prosecution in support of its case examined as many as 17 witnesses and got exhibited 36 documents. In his explanation under Section 313 Cr.P.C., the appellant claimed innocence. No defence witness was, however, examined. On hearing the final submissions, the trial judge convicted and sentenced the appellant as under:-
Under Section 302/34 IPC: To suffer life imprisonment and to pay fine
of Rs. 1000/-. In default of payment of fine
to further undergo 6 months' simple
imprisonment.
Under Section 460/34 IPC:- To suffer simple imprisonment for ten years
and to pay a fine of Rs. 500/-. In default of
payment of fine to further undergo three
months' S.I.
Under Section 458/34 IPC:- To suffer simple imprisonment for six years
and to pay a fine of Rs. 400/-. In default of
payment of fine to further undergo two
months'. S.I.
Under Section 324/34 IPC:- To undergo simple imprisonment for three
years and to pay a fine of Rs. 200/-. In default
of payment of fine, to further undergo one
month's S.I.
All the substantive sentences were directed to run concurrently.
3. Mr. A.K. Gupta, learned counsel for the appellant canvassed that the appellant sought determination of his age before the trial Judge and although the appellant as found below 18 years of age learned trial Judge in the order dated July 6,2001 observed that since the appellant was above 16 years of age, he could not be held a ‘juvenile’. According to learned counsel this observation is perse illegal. Per Contra, Mr. M.L. Goyal, P.P. Supported the impugned order.
4. Having scanned the material on record we find that pursuant to the directions issued by this Court learned Additional Sessions Judge (Fast Track) made an inquiry in regard to the age of the appellant and submitted his report according to which the appellant was found 17 years, 10 months and 11 days on the date of incident. Still the learned Judge did not hold that appellant was ‘juvenile’.
5. Turning oh to the scheme of the JJ Act it appears that pursuant to the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Sheela Barse v. Union of India, AIR 1986 SC 1773, the Parliament enacted Juvenile Justice Act, 1986 (Act No. 53 of 1986). The said Act was re- drafted and re-enacted as Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 which came into existence with effect from April 1, 2001. While enacting the Act the Parliament considered United Nations standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Consideration of Juvenile Justice Act, 1985 (the Beijing Rules), the United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles deprived of their liberty (1990) and all other relevant international instruments and conventions on the rights of child held by the General Assembly United Nations on November 20, 1989 which was rectified by the Government of India on December 11, 1992 to achieve the objectives underline therein. The Act was enacted to consolidate and amend the law relating to Juveniles in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection, by providing for proper care, protection and treatment by catering to their development needs, and by adopting a child friendly approach in in the adjudication and disposition of matters in best interest of children and for their ultimate rehabilitation through various institutions established under this enactment. As per Sub-rule (2) of Rule 62 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules, 2001, all pending cases which have not received a finality shall be dealt with and disposed of in terms of the provisions of the JJ Act and the rules made thereunder.
6. The question that emerges for consideration is whether the appellant was Juvenile in terms of ‘Juvenile’ or ‘Child’ under Section 2(k) of the JJ Act at the time of commission of offence. As already noticed, the appellant was below 18 years of age on the date of occurrence and when the JJ Act came into force the criminal case against the appellant was pending. Therefore it ought to have been disposed of in terms of the provisions of the JJ Act and the Rules made thereunder. Under Sub-rule (2) of Rule 62 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules, 2001, it was incumbent upon the Trial Court to pass appropriate order with regard to juveniles in terms of the JJ Act and the Juvenile Justice Rules, 2001. Section 20 of the JJ Act prescribes procedure in respect of Juvenile against whom proceedings were pending on the date on which the JJ Act came into force. The learned trial judge has failed to consider the aforequotted provisions and passed the order of sentence in conflict with Section 20 of the JJ Act. In view of Section 2(k) of the JJ Act, we find that appellant was juvenile and no sentence could be imposed on him.
7. Section 6 of the JJ Act gives power to the Juvenile Board to deal exclusively with all proceedings under the JJ Act relating to the juvenile. Sub-section (2) of Section 6 of the JJ Act mandates that powers of Board may also be exercised by the High Court and the Court of Sessions when the proceedings come before them in appeal, revision or otherwise. On a close look at Section 15 and 16 of the JJ Act, we deem it appropriate that appellant Madan Singh, who was juvenile on the date of incident, should be dealt with by the Juvenile Board in accordance with the provisions of JJ Act.
8. In view what we have discussed above, the appeal of the appellant Madan Singh is partly allowed with the following directions:-
(i) Conviction of the appellant for offences under Sections 302/34, 460/34, 458/34 and 324/34 IPC is, maintained. The case is remitted back to the learned Additional Sessions Judge (Fast Track), Beawar to forward the appellant to the Juvenile Board which shall pass orders in view of Sections 15 and 16 of the JJ Act and the Rules framed thereunder; and
(ii) impugned judgment of the Trial Court stands modified as indicated herein above.
A copy of this order along with the record of the case be sent immediately to the learned Additional Sessions Judge (Fast Track), Beawar.