New Delhi, April 9 A Juvenile Justice Board here has denied bail to a 17-year-old accused of driving a speeding SUV that caused a fatal crash in Dwarka, stating that his release at this stage could expose him to physical and psychological danger and would "defeat the ends of justice".
The accident occurred on February 3 when the SUV, allegedly being used to shoot a social media video, crashed into a motorcycle and a taxi in the Dwarka area.
The collision killed 23-year-old Sahil and left a cab driver seriously injured. Police said the minor was behind the wheel at the time of the crash.
Presiding officer Chitranshi Arora was hearing a bail application filed by the accused minor and said that the release of the accused could "disturb public peace, and undermine public confidence in the justice delivery system".
In its order on Thursday, the board said, "The premature release of the Children in Conflict with the Law (CCL) who are named and alleged participants in the incident is likely to aggravate the prevailing situation, disturb public peace, and undermine public confidence in the justice delivery system."
The Board noted submissions of the investigating officer stating that the incident had triggered tension between communities in the area and had a pronounced impact on public order and social harmony.
It said that the continued protective custody of the minors was not punitive but necessary to secure their care, protection, psychological stability and rehabilitation, which are integral to the concept of justice under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
"This Board also finds that the release of the child litigant (minor accused) at this stage is likely to expose them to physical and psychological danger. The community tension arising out of the incident indicate a real and tangible risk of retaliation, intimidation or emotional harm, which the Board cannot ignore," it said.
While acknowledging concerns about disruption of the minors' education, the Board said such considerations could not override issues of safety, protection and rehabilitation when credible material suggested that release could be detrimental.
"The principle of the best interest of the child remains the guiding star of all decisions under the JJ Act," the Board said, adding that continued protective custody would ensure the safety, counselling, education and medical needs in a structured environment.
It concluded that granting bail at this stage could expose the minors to harm and defeat the ends of justice under the rehabilitative framework of the Juvenile Justice Act, and accordingly rejected his bail plea.
"This Board is satisfied that the release at this stage would expose them to physical and psychological danger; and defeat the ends of justice as understood within the rehabilitative and protective framework of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015," it said.