U’khand: Murder Convict Declared Minor After Spending 13 Years in Jail, Set Free
📅 January 6, 2026
✍️ Editor: Sudhir Choudhary, The Vagabond News
In a striking turn of events, a man convicted of murder in Uttarakhand has been released from prison after spending nearly 13 years in jail, following a court ruling that he was a minor at the time of the offence and therefore could not have been tried or punished as an adult.
The order came after a detailed examination of age-related evidence, including school records and other documents, which established that the accused was under 18 when the crime was committed. As a result, the court held that his continued incarceration was illegal under India’s juvenile justice framework.
Court’s Findings
The court ruled that the convict was entitled to the protection of the Juvenile Justice Board and should have been dealt with under the Juvenile Justice Act, which caps the maximum period of institutional confinement for juveniles at three years, even in cases involving serious offences.
Since the man had already spent far more time in custody than the maximum permissible period under the law, the court ordered his immediate release.
“The benefit of juvenility is not lost merely because the issue was raised at a later stage,” the court observed, reiterating that age determination can be considered even after conviction if credible evidence is produced.
A Case That Spanned Over a Decade
The man was convicted of murder by a trial court and had been serving a life sentence in a Uttarakhand prison. His claim of juvenility was raised during post-conviction proceedings, prompting the court to order an inquiry into his age at the time of the crime.
After verification, the court concluded that he was indeed a minor, rendering the trial conducted by an adult criminal court legally unsustainable.
Legal experts note that such cases, while rare, highlight systemic failures in early age verification during investigation and trial stages.
Legal and Human Rights Implications
Under Indian law, juveniles are considered capable of reform and rehabilitation rather than punishment. The Juvenile Justice Act reflects this philosophy by prioritising corrective measures over long-term incarceration.
“This case underscores the importance of accurate age determination at the very beginning of criminal proceedings,” said a senior criminal lawyer. “A lapse can lead to irreversible loss of liberty, as seen here.”
Human rights advocates said the case raises troubling questions about prolonged incarceration and the state’s responsibility to ensure procedural safeguards.
State’s Response
Uttarakhand prison authorities confirmed that the man was released following receipt of the court order. Officials said they were complying with judicial directions and declined to comment further on whether departmental action would be initiated over the delay in determining the convict’s age.
What Lies Ahead
While the man has now been set free, the ruling is likely to prompt closer scrutiny of pending cases where juvenility claims may not have been examined thoroughly. Courts have repeatedly held that the question of age goes to the root of jurisdiction and cannot be ignored.
For the former convict, the release marks the end of more than a decade behind bars—but also the beginning of a difficult reintegration into society after years of lost freedom.
Source: Press Trust of India (PTI); court records
News by The Vagabond News
Tags: Uttarakhand, Juvenile Justice Act, Murder Case, Prison Release, Indian Judiciary, Human Rights
