Court directs Juvenile Justice Board to expedite trial pending seven years, conditional on juvenile's cooperation.

ORDER

The present petition has been filed by the accused person in J.C.No.54 of

2018 on the file of the Juvenile Justice Board, Ramanathapuram, seeking expeditious disposal of the trial.

2. The petitioner is alleged to have committed an offence while he was juvenile and his case has been split up and tried before the Juvenile Justice Board, Ramanathapuram. The other accused persons are tried before the regular Court.

3. The learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the juvenile case is pending from the year 2018 onwards without any progress and therefore, he prays for expeditious disposal of the same. However, the learned Government Advocate(crl.side) appearing for the first respondent submitted that the petitioner appeared for the first time only on 12.11.2025 and therefore, the request of the petitioner for expeditious disposal of the case is not a reasonable one.

4. Considering the fact that J.C.No.54 of 2018, is pending for the past seven years, there is a direction to the Juvenile Justice Board, Ramanathapuram, to expedite the proceedings provided the petitioner co-operate for the speedy disposal of the case. The proceedings shall be disposed of on or before

31.08.2026.