Allahabad High Court Sets Aside Sentences of Two Convicts Who Were Minors in 1980 Murder Case

News Desk: The Allahabad High Court has set aside the sentences of two men convicted in a murder case dating back to 1980 after finding that both were minors at the time of the crime. However, the court upheld their convictions and referred the matter to the Juvenile Justice Board to determine the appropriate action under juvenile justice laws.

A division bench comprising Justices Abdul Moin and Pramod Kumar Srivastava passed the order on Thursday while hearing an appeal related to an incident that took place in Sultanpur on September 28, 1980.

According to the prosecution, eight men attacked several people using sharp-edged weapons and spears. Four people, identified as Shamshad, Abdul Rafiq, Dilsher and Hamidullah, were killed in the incident, while several others sustained injuries.

On December 14, 1981, a sessions court convicted all eight accused and sentenced them to life imprisonment.

During the pendency of their appeal before the High Court, two appellants, Siraj Ahmad and Abdul Wahid, claimed that they were below 18 years of age when the crime took place. Following the court's directions, the Juvenile Justice Board conducted an inquiry to establish their ages.

Based on the board's report and educational records, the High Court found that Ahmad was 17 years and 10 months old, while Wahid was 17 years and 11 months old at the time of the incident.

While examining the case, the bench observed that the testimonies of injured eyewitnesses and other witnesses were consistent with the medical evidence. The court held that the prosecution had successfully established the charges and found no grounds to interfere with the convictions.

However, the judges ruled that the sentences imposed under ordinary criminal law could not be sustained in view of the two men's juvenile status at the time of the offence.

The bench also clarified that their status as minors did not mean they could be released without any consequences. Instead, the appropriate action must be determined in accordance with the applicable juvenile justice provisions.

The High Court directed both men to appear before the Juvenile Justice Board on October 28 with a certified copy of the judgment. The board has been asked to pass an appropriate order within six weeks of receiving the certified copy.

The ruling brings renewed attention to the legal protections available to individuals who were minors when an offence was committed, even when proceedings continue for decades.