Hari Ram vs State Of Rajasthan & Anr

The Supreme Court examined the application of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, in the case of Hari Ram, who was accused of serious offences under Sections 148, 302, 149, 325, and 323 of the Indian Penal Code. The Court held that the determination of a juvenile's age must be consistent with the rehabilitative intent of the Act, emphasizing that the High Court's conclusion that the appellant was not a juvenile was overly technical and contrary to the Act's objectives. The Court ultimately reversed the High Court's order, affirming the applicability of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, to the appellant.