DHARMBIR vs STATE(NCT OF DELHI) ANR.

The Supreme Court addressed the applicability of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 to the appellant, who was 16 years old at the time of the offence, under Sections 302 and 307 read with Section 34 IPC. The Court held that the relevant date for determining juvenile status is the date of the offence, affirming the principle established in Pratap Singh Vs. State of Jharkhand, which clarifies that the age of the accused must be assessed at the time of the crime, not at the time of trial. Consequently, the Court ordered an inquiry to confirm the appellant's age, recognizing him as a juvenile under the Act of 2000.