Patna High Court Slams Police For 2.5-Month Unlawful Detention Of Juvenile, Awards ₹5 Lakh Compensation
Patna High Court recently condemned Bihar Police for unlawfully detaining a juvenile for 2.5 months, awarding ₹5 lakh in compensation. The ruling underscores a violation of Article 21 rights and the Juvenile Justice Act.
A 15-year-old boy from Saharsa district faced arrest on October 23, 2025, in a land dispute and assault FIR, despite prior exoneration in the chargesheet. Police acted on a DIG’s orders, ignoring his juvenile status proven by a school birth certificate. The magistrate failed to verify age, leading to his adult jail detention.
On January 9, 2026, Justices Rajeev Ranjan Prasad and Ritesh Kumar, hearing a habeas corpus petition, ordered his immediate release from Madhepura jail. The bench labeled the detention a gross procedural breach and misuse of power. Compensation of ₹5 lakh covers physical and mental agony, payable by the State within one month, plus ₹15,000 litigation costs.
The State must recover amounts from erring officers after inquiry, with recovery completed in six months. Bihar DGP received orders for an administrative probe into police and magistrate roles. This protects juvenile rights and deters arbitrary arrests.
