Babloo Pasi vs State Of Jharkhand & Anr

The Supreme Court held that the High Court's order, which declared the accused a juvenile under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, was passed without affording the appellant an opportunity to be heard, violating principles of natural justice. The Court emphasized that the medical opinion regarding age, while relevant, is not the sole determinant, and the High Court erred in quashing the Juvenile Justice Board's order without proper consideration of all evidence. Consequently, the Supreme Court set aside the High Court's order and restored the Board's decision regarding the accused's age.