Juvenile laws must not be taken lightly in heinous crimes: Court

A Delhi court Thursday dismissed a youth's plea to be declared a minor in a robbery and murder case, and held that juvenile laws must be not taken lightly in the cases of heinous crimes.

Dismissing the plea of Rudermani, Additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau said the birth certificate of the youth did not appear to be authentic.

"None can be permitted to abuse the provisions of benevolent legislation and this plea of juvenility cannot be applied lightly by the courts of law, specially in those cases where the accused is being tried of heinous offences," the judge said.

The court, relying on the medical test as well as school certificate, ordered that the youth must be tried as an adult in the case.

The entries in his school records about his age were "more authentic and credible" which show he was 19 years and seven months old when the offence was committed in October 2011, the court observed.

"I conclude that the date of birth certificate issued Sep 21, 2013, does not appear to be authentic, whereas on the other hand the entries made in the school records are more authentic and credible. Also finding due corroboration/confirmation from the ossification report of applicant/accused Rudermani," the court said.

Rudermani, in his plea, claimed that as per his birth certificate, he was born May 27, 1994, and was a minor when the alleged offence was committed.

According to police, Rudermani with two others, Rohit Kumar and Sunil, was involved in a robbery and in the murder of Harkesh Meena in October 2011 near Adarsh Nagar Metro station.