Calcutta High Court Terminates Proceedings Against Minor in Park Street Traffic Case
In a significant ruling, the Calcutta High Court has quashed legal proceedings against a minor accused of violating a one-way traffic rule on Park Street in Kolkata. The court held that the inquiry collapsed after authorities failed to complete it within the statutory deadline mandated under the Juvenile Justice Act.
Court Emphasizes Strict Adherence to Juvenile Justice Act Timelines
Justice Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee, delivering the judgment on Tuesday, underscored that the law fixes a maximum period of four months from the date a child is produced before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) to conclude an inquiry. This timeline allows for only a two-month extension with supporting reasons. The court firmly stated that if this deadline is breached, the proceeding "shall" stand terminated — a mandatory provision in cases involving petty offences.
"The Juvenile Justice Act is designed for the care and protection of children, so courts should interpret it generously to benefit the child," Justice Mukherjee remarked. He urged a non-technical approach that favours a finding of juvenility, highlighting the Act's protective intent.
Background of the Park Street Traffic Incident
The case originated from an incident on November 26, 2023, when the grandson of a retired judge was stopped for driving the wrong way from Loudon Street onto Park Street. The vehicle, a blue-beacon car bearing a judge's board, allegedly reversed when a traffic sergeant attempted to halt it, posing a risk of accident. Police filed a chargesheet on November 28, 2023, and the JJB initially ordered the minor to be kept at Dhruv Ashram until December 12, though he was released on bail the following day.
Complaints were registered under provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Motor Vehicles Act, with offences carrying a potential punishment of up to three years.
Legal Challenge and Court's Decision
Appearing through his father, the minor challenged the proceedings, arguing that the inquiry remained incomplete beyond the legal limit. The court concurred, noting that with the juvenile's production before the JJB on November 28, 2023, the inquiry should have concluded by March 27, 2024. Although the JJB granted a two-month extension in February, pushing the deadline to May 27, 2024, this timeline was still not met, leading to the termination of the case.
The court emphasized that the timeline under Section 14 of the Juvenile Justice Act aims at a speedy inquiry to spare juveniles repeated appearances and limit the disruptive impact of criminal proceedings on a child's life. This ruling reinforces the importance of adhering to procedural safeguards in juvenile justice matters, ensuring that legal processes do not unduly prolong the ordeal for young individuals.
