The juvenile accused in the December 16 gang-rape case, who was the most brutal among all six accused, turned adult on Tuesday.
He, however, will be treated as a minor as far as the case is concerned. Officials said that the case would remain unaffected with advancement in his age and he would remain in the custody till the verdict in the case is out.
He will still be treated as a juvenile in relation to the gang rape case. At the time of his apprehension, he was 17 years and six months old, according to the certificate issued by his school in Badaun in UP, where he studied till class 3.
The Juvenile Justice Board will now hear arguments from the defence from June 26. The boy is facing trial for the same offences as the other accused are facing. The school principal of the juvenile had submitted the school records before a Juvenile Justice Board that as per the school records the juvenile was 17 years and six months old at the time of incident on December 16, and a major on June 4, 2013.
"He turned 18 years old on Tuesday but he will still be treated as a juvenile in relation to the gang rape case. The juvenile completing majority will have no bearing on the trial and he will continue to stay in the same juvenile observation centre where he has been staying at. Currently, he is lodged at a place near Majnu Ka Tila and he will remain there till the verdict in the case is out.
He was supposed to be lodged in an observation home till he turns 18, but is being kept at a more secure place due to security reasons," a senior police officer said.
According to section 3 in the Juvenile Justice (Care And Protection Of Children) Act, 2000, "Where an inquiry has been initiated against a juvenile in conflict with law or a child in need of care and protection and during the course of such inquiry the juvenile or the child ceases to be such, then, notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force, the inquiry may be continued and orders may be made in respect of such person as if such person had continued to be a juvenile or a child."
