Chennai, July 6 (BPNS)

A 16-year-old Juvenile who was alleged to be involved in the murder of a Class XII student due to caste rivalry in Tirunelveli will now be tried in a regular Criminal court. The Principal magistrate of  Tirunelveli Juvenile Justice Board has, in a rare move transferred the case for trial to the designated court.

It may be noted that a Class XII student of Pallakkal Podhukudi Government Higher Secondary school, M. Selva Surya was killed on April 30, 2022, and among the three who were arrested by the police turned out to be a juvenile.

Tirunelveli police told BPNS that the case was transferred to the designated court based on three reports –Social background report given by child welfare police officer,  social investigation report given by probationary officer, and  psychological report given by the child psychologist or medical officer.

Police said that in cases involving more than seven years of punishment, the cases can be transferred to designated criminal courts even if the accused is a juvenile of 16 years or more. However, the cases will be transferred to designated criminal courts based on the above three reports.