The Delhi Police has made a significantly higher number of requests this year to prosecute minors accused of serious crimes as adults, marking a sharp rise in such legal interventions. Data reveals a 123% increase in applications filed before Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) seeking permission for this stringent legal step.
A Dramatic Increase in Legal Requests
Official figures show that until October 15 of the current year, the police submitted 176 formal requests to the JJBs. This number starkly contrasts with the 79 applications made throughout the entirety of the previous year, 2024. Out of these requests, approval was granted in 23 cases so far this year, which is identical to the number approved in 2024.
Interestingly, while these requests have risen, the overall involvement of minors in criminal cases in the capital has seen a slight variation. Minors were involved in 2,149 cases till October 15 this year, compared to 2,306 cases recorded in the full calendar year of 2024.
When Does the Police Seek Adult Trials for Minors?
Police authorities typically approach the boards for juveniles aged between 16 and 17 years. This step is especially considered when the accused is a repeat offender or when the crime appears to be committed in a deliberate and premeditated manner.
"The request is also made in serious cases like murder, fatal accidents, sexual assault, major property crimes and offences involving illegal weapons," explained a senior police officer. The procedural timeline is strict: an application is filed to the board alongside a preliminary inquiry report against the minor, which must be completed within 60 days of the crime's commission.
The Legal Assessment Process Explained
The decision to try a minor as an adult is not taken lightly. Roop Sudesh Vimal, a member of one of the Juvenile Justice Boards, detailed the rigorous assessment mandated under Section 15 of the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act, 2015.
"We evaluate whether the juvenile has psychiatric or mental health problems, ascertain his or her personality issues, past experiences of trauma or abuse, substance abuse problems, intellectual or developmental disabilities and any treatment received so far," Vimal stated. The board's preliminary assessment scrutinizes:
- Whether the minor is in conflict with the law.
- The physical and mental capacity to commit the alleged offence.
- Understanding of the consequences of the crime.
- The circumstances under which the offence was allegedly committed.
This comprehensive evaluation also delves into the minor's family history, relationships, schooling, education, and peer connections. The entire assessment process typically takes about a month or slightly more. A detailed report is then prepared and presented to the board, which ultimately decides on trying the minor as an adult.
A Recent Landmark Case
This legal provision was applied in a high-profile case from August this year. Over two years after Delhi University student Nikhil Chauhan was fatally stabbed outside his college in South Campus following a dispute, a Delhi court ruled that one of the minors accused in the case would be tried as an adult. This decision underscores the gravity with which the judiciary views certain offences committed by juveniles.
The substantial rise in police applications indicates a growing trend of seeking stricter accountability for severe crimes, even when the accused are legally minors, reflecting an evolving approach to juvenile justice in complex cases.
