Juvenile to be tried as adult after he commits second murder

The Juvenile Justice Board has directed that a 16-year-old minor involved in a murder case be tried as an adult, the Delhi police said on Sunday. The order was passed by Principal Magistrate Sahil Khurmi on Saturday.

The application seeking trial of the juvenile as an adult was moved by the investigating officer Inspector Manoj Mudgal of Shakarpur police station. 

“The investigation established the grave nature of the offences and placed substantial scientific, electronic and documentary evidence before the board,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Rajeev Kumar. 

The police said that the order was the outcome of a meticulous, scientific and legally robust investigation conducted by the East District Police.

The case pertains to the stabbing of a 22-year-old man in Shakarpur Market on December 7, 2025. He succumbed to injuries in the hospital and a murder case was registered. The police apprehended the juvenile and found that he was facing trial in another murder case registered in 2024. 

Based on the evidence collected during the investigation, the Inspector moved an application before the Juvenile Justice Board seeking that the minor be tried as an adult under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. 

“On the day of the incident, the juvenile was displaying the body of the deceased in public. Upon interrogation, we found that he was able to harbour and influence other adults and convince them to do criminal activities. His inclination towards crime, with no remorse over killing a person and aim to become a ‘gangster’, were all considered and presented before the board. We collected enough evidence to support these aspects following which the board carefully analysed and decided that he be tried as an adult,” the Inspector said.

After carefully considering the material placed before it, the gravity of the offence and other relevant factors under the Juvenile Justice Act, the board directed that he shall be tried as an adult, the police said.