Juveniles are entitled to bail under the Juvenile Justice Act unless specific, evidence-based grounds for denial are established.

JUDGMENT

1. This criminal revision petition under Section 102 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (for short 'the Act of 2015' hereinafter) is directed against the order dated 11.12.2019 passed by the learned Special Judge, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, No.l, Udaipur (for short 'the appellate court' hereinafter), whereby the appellate court has dismissed the appeal filed by the juvenile through his natural guardian against the order dated 06.12.2019 passed by Principal Magistrate, Juvenile Justice Board, Udaipur (for short 'the trial court' hereinafter) on an application under section 12 of the Act of2015, whereby the prayer for releasing the juvenile on bail was dismissed by the trial court.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that no other case is pending against the petitioner.

3. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Public Prosecutor and perused the material available on record.

4. Section 12(1) of the Act of 2015 reads as under:

"12. (1) When any person, who is apparently a child and is alleged to have committed a bailable or non-bailable offence, is apprehended or detained by the police or appears or brought before a Board, such person shall, notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) or in any other law for the time being in force, be released on bail with or without surety or placed under the supervision of a probation officer or under the care of any fit person:

Provided that such person shall not be so released if there appears reasonable grounds for believing that the release is likely to bring that person into association with any known criminal or expose the said person to moral, physical or psychological danger or the person's release would defeat the ends of justice, and the Board shall record the reasons for denying the bail and circumstances that led to such a decision"

5. From perusal of Section 12(1) of the Act of 2015, it is clear that a delinquent juvenile ordinarily has to be released on bail irrespective of nature of offence alleged to have been committed by her unless it is shown by evidence that if she is released on bail, there appear reasonable grounds for believing that the release of the delinquent juvenile is likely to bring her into association with any known criminal or expose her to moral, physical or psychological danger or that her release would defeat the ends of justice. The nature of offence and the merits of the case do not have any relevance. It is for the prosecution to bring on record such material while opposing the bail and make out any of the grounds provided in the Section 12(1) of the Act of 2015, which may persuade the Court not to release the juvenile on bail. But in this case, there is nothing on record to show that the release of the petitioner is likely to bring her into association with any known criminal or expose to moral, physical or psychological danger or that her release would defeat the ends of justice.

6. It is also noticed that no other case is pending against the juvenile.

7. In view of the above discussion, the revision petition is allowed. The impugned orders dated 11.12.2019 and 06.12.2019 are set aside and it is directed that petitioner - Miss Bharati Meena D/o Khuman Meena be released on bail provided her natural guardian-father Khuman Meena furnishes a personal bond in the sum of Rs.25,000/- with a surety bond in the like amount to the satisfaction of the Principal Magistrate, Juvenile Justice Board, Udaipur with the stipulation that on all subsequent dates of hearing, he/she shall produce the petitioner before the Juvenile Justice Board, Udaipur or any other Court till the enquiry or trial is concluded.