Union Of India & Ors vs Ajit Singh

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision that the General Court Martial (GCM) proceedings against the respondent were vitiated due to his status as a juvenile under the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2000. The Court emphasized that the GCM could not try the respondent for offences committed while he was a juvenile, thus invalidating the punishment of dismissal and rigorous imprisonment. However, the Court permitted a fresh GCM to be conducted for offences committed after he turned 18 years old, reaffirming the applicability of the JJ Act in military proceedings.