The Gujarat High Court on Monday granted regular bail to a 17-year-old juvenile who was accused of killing his father to stop the domestic abuse of his mother.
Case Background
According to the prosecution, the teenager and two relatives conspired to murder his father, who had a history of domestic violence. The deceased came to Surat in July 2025 to record a statement regarding an earlier complaint. He was then taken to an isolated spot, where the accused attacked him with a wooden log and a knife. The Olpad police filed an FIR, and the teenager was booked for murder.
Bail Denial and High Court Appeal
The child in conflict with law (CCL) was denied bail by a sessions court in Surat. He subsequently approached the High Court through his mother. Their advocate, Rafik Lokhandwala, argued that the incident arose from circumstances linked to protecting the mother and highlighted the absence of eyewitnesses.
The court noted that the record did not clearly show how the quarrel unfolded or how the deceased reacted at the time. The lawyer submitted that the bail application should be considered under the Juvenile Justice Act, not the Criminal Procedure Code.
Court's Observations and Decision
Justice Gita Gopi relied on the probation officer's report, which stated: "The report of the probation officer shows that the father was a drunkard and was also mentally ill and while there are no criminal antecedents of the CCL and he was found to be staying with other children in the observation home peacefully."
The High Court granted bail to the child on a Rs 10,000 bond. It directed the probation officer to monitor the conduct of the CCL and submit quarterly reports to the concerned board or children's court until the trial is completed. The court also ordered that if the probation officer considers it necessary, the CCL should be sent for behavior modification therapy and psychiatric support.
