HC Expresses Concern Over 'Minor' Lodged in Regular Jail, Allows Bail

Trial court which failed to decide juvenility plea for more than a year, asked to decide the issue 'at the earliest'

- Pawan Dixit

LUCKNOW: Allowing bail to a minor boy languishing in a regular jail for a year, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has expressed concern over the trial court's delay in deciding his application claiming juvenility.

The applicant was lodged in Pratapgarh jail from March 2024 under several sections of the POCSO Act. The FIR was lodged with the Aasupur Deosara police station, Pratapgarh, on March 6, 2024.

He was accused of enticing the complainant's daughter aged around 13 years on the night of March 4, 2024.

On May 16, 2025, a single judge bench of Justice Subhash Vidyarthi stated that the minor victim, aged around 13 years, has not levelled any allegations against the applicant who is aged around 16 years.

Therefore, the applicant is entitled to be released on bail, added the court.