RAVINDER SINGH GORKHI vs STATE OF U.P.

The Supreme Court addressed whether a school leaving certificate falls under Section 35 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, in determining the age of the appellant accused in a murder case. The Court held that the school leaving certificate is admissible as evidence to establish the appellant's age, which was determined to be 16 years at the time of the offense, thus entitling him to the protections under the Uttar Pradesh Children Act, 1951. The Court overturned the lower court's assessment of age and granted the appellant the benefit of being treated as a minor.