Gurgaon Teen Escapes Being Tried as an Adult by One Day in Murder Case of 9-Year-Old Neighbour

Gurgaon, July 5, 2024 – In a shocking incident, a teenage boy who allegedly murdered his nine-year-old neighbor narrowly escaped being tried as an adult by just one day. The boy, who was a day short of his 16th birthday when he committed the crime on July 1, will be tried under the Juvenile Justice Act, which mandates that minors under 16 be tried as juveniles.

Incident Details

The teenager, residing in a housing society in Sector 107, Gurgaon, allegedly sneaked into the neighbor’s flat with the intention of stealing jewelry. Under pressure to repay a ₹20,000 loan taken for gambling, the boy devised a plan that tragically went wrong.

According to the police, the boy, familiar with the layout of the neighbor’s house, knew where the keys were kept. On the morning of the incident, he took the girl’s two-year-old brother to his house under the pretext of playing with him. When the children’s mother came to retrieve her son, the boy seized the opportunity to leave for the neighbor’s flat, pretending to go for coaching classes.

Crime and Conflicting Statements

Initially, the boy claimed he sat with the girl, asked for water, and helped her with homework. Later, he alleged that two thieves had entered the house to steal jewelry when he arrived. However, CCTV footage showed him entering the house alone.

The boy confessed to the police that he had opened the cupboard and found the jewelry when the girl confronted him. Panicked, he strangled her with a dupatta and set her body on fire using camphor found in the house’s puja room.

Legal Implications and Next Steps

Despite the severity of the crime, the boy will not be tried as an adult due to his age at the time of the incident. According to the 2015 amendment to the Juvenile Justice Act, minors aged 16 to 18 can be tried as adults in heinous crimes. However, exceptions are made in rare cases where a minor’s mental age is determined before deciding their trial status. An advocate mentioned that this is an uncommon practice, depending on the arguments and the acceptance by the juvenile justice board.

Police spokesperson Sandeep Kumar noted, “The boy did not go to the house with the intention to kill the girl but panicked when things didn’t work out as planned. The boy has changed his statements multiple times. He will undergo further counseling, and if no new developments arise, he will be handed over to the juvenile justice board.”

Ongoing Investigation

Police are also seeking permission to collect samples to determine if there was any sexual abuse involved. The investigation continues, with authorities aiming to uncover the full details of the crime and ensure justice for the victim.

This case highlights the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the challenges faced in balancing legal protocols with the need for justice in heinous crimes.

For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to Sarhind Times.