The under-18 Class XI student of Ryan International School, accused of murdering 7-year-old Class II student Pradyuman Thakur on September 8, will be tried as an adult, the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) Gurugram ruled on Wednesday.
Ruling on the application filed by Pradyuman’s father, the JJB said the offence allegedly committed by the accused, who is over 16 years of age, is heinous, chilling, horrific and serious in nature, therefore he should be tried as an adult. The board observed the circumstances show the teenager is mature enough to understand the consequences of his act.
The JJB arrived at its decision after examining the boy’s physical and mental ability, the sociological and psychological experts’ reports about the accused. The decision of the JJB means that the teenager if convicted would not be set free after three years, but could be sentenced to 8 to 14 years in prison for the murder.