RAM NARAIN vs STATE OF U.P.

The Supreme Court ruled that the petitioner, having served over 10 years of life imprisonment for an offense under Section 302 IPC, is entitled to relief under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, as he was declared a juvenile at the time of the offense. The Court emphasized that the plea of juvenility can be raised at any time, referencing the case of Upendra Pradhan v. State of Orissa. The Court held that the petitioner should be released, recognizing the prolonged incarceration without appropriate consideration of his juvenile status.