Samir Kumar vs State Of Bihar

Heard the parties.

This is an appeal under Section 101(5) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 against refusal of the prayer for bail to the appellant by order dated 15.03.2023 passed by the Additional Sessions Judge-I, Bhojpur at Ara in connection with B.P. No. 1048 of 2023 in Special Children Case No. 09 of 2023 arising out of Ara Nagar P.S. Case No. 158 of 2022.

On bare perusal of provision of Section 12 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, it appears that Juvenile in conflict with law shall be released on bail unless there appears reasonable grounds for believing that the release is likely to bring him into association with any known criminal or expose him to moral, physical or psychological danger or that his release would defeat the ends of justice.

The impugned order mentions that the release of the appellant would defeat the ends of justice and his release will expose him to moral, physical or psychological danger.

The existence of the aforesaid grounds should not mean guesswork but it should be supported by some evidence on record such as report of the probation officer etc. The report of the probation officer does not mentions anything as has been recorded by the Children Court. Further the report of the probation officer suggests that the appellant needs proper counselling alongwith professional training for leading a good life.

As such, the rejection of the prayer for bail of the appellant is unjustified and against the intention of the provision of Section 12 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The same is, accordingly, set aside. Let the appellant, above named, be enlarged on bail on execution of surety bond by the mother of the appellant giving undertaking that she will keep proper care and upkeep of the appellant and will fully co-operate in the pending enquiry/trial.

The appeal stands disposed of.