Dina Nath @ Daulat v. State of Himachal Pradesh

The Judgement of the Court was deii\lered by DR. ARIJIT PASAYAT, J. The only point urged in support of the appeal is that the appellant was minor within the meaning of the Juvenile Justice G (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (in short "2000Act"). Reference is also made to the amendment of the expression "juvenile in conflict with law" in terms of Section 2(1) as amended by Act 33 of 2006 with effect from 22.8.2006. Reference is also 310 - ~ - "'! - DINA NATH@ DAULAT V. 311 STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH [DR. ARIJIT PASAYAT, J.) made to the explanation appended to Section 20 by the said A amendment. It is the stand of the appellant that on the date of occurrence he wa!:; minor as his date of birth is 6.3.1973. Learned counsel for the respondent states that this plea was not raised either before the trial court or before the High · Court by the appellant. The question about the applicability of B 2000 Act and the amendment thereto has to be tested on the b.asis of the evidence. Though certain documents have been filed to substantiate their stand that the appellant was a minor on the date of occurrence i.e. on 15.6.1990, the applicability of the amended provisions have to be considered. In the peculiar C facts of this case, we set aside the impugned judgment of the High Court and remit the matter to the trial court to decide only the question as to whether the appellant was a juvenile on the date of commission of the offence i.e. on 15.6.1990. We make it clear that we have not expressed any opinion on the merits of D the case. The trial court shall permit the accused appellant to produce $UCh evidence as is considered necessary by him to substantiate the aforesaid plea. Similar shall be the case in case of prosecution. As the matter is pending since long, let the adjudication E be done by the end of September, 2009. The accused~appellant shall continue to remain in custody till the adjudication is done by the triai court. We make it clear that the impugned judgment is being set F aside only for the purpose of adjudicating the· plea raised by the appellant that he was minor at the time of commission of the offence. The appeal stands disposed of accordingly. Appeal disposed of.