A child in conflict with law does not have an indefeasible right to default bail under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 for procedural delays in filing documents, and bail may be denied if release defeats the ends of justice in heinous offences under Section 12(1).

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MANISHA BATRA, J :-

The petitioner is challenging the order dated 22.09.2025 passed by the learned Principal Magistrate, Juvenile Justice Board, Panipat in case arising out of FIR No. 419 dated 27.06.2025, registered under Sections 103(1) and 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNS’) and Section 3 of the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (for short ‘SC/ST Act’) at Police Station Chandni Bagh, Panipat, whereby an application for grant of default bail as filed by the petitioner, had been dismissed, order dated 09.10.2025 as passed by learned Principal Magistrate in the same FIR whereby the prayer made by him for return of the charge-sheet and to release the petitioner from custody had been dismissed as well as the order dated 10.11.2025 passed by the Court of learned Additional Sessions Judge/Appellate Court Panipat, whereby an appeal filed against the order dated 09.10.2025 had been dismissed.

2. Brief facts relevant for the purpose of disposal of this petition are that the aforementioned FIR was registered on the basis of a complaint moved by the complainant Rajpal alleging therein that his son Kanhiya was studying in 12th Class in the local government school. The present petitioner (name withheld) along with the co-accused, was also studying therein. All of them used to insult his son Kanhiya by hurling abuses in the name of his caste. His son used to resist and then the petitioner and others used to make attempts to assault him. On 25.05.2025 also, the present petitioner extended beatings to his son and hurled abuses and then in order to create a defence, he lodged a complaint at Police Station Chandani Bagh, Panipat. A settlement was arrived at between them at the police station. He alleged that in the morning of 26.06.2025, his son had gone towards village Ujha Gate to buy vegetables when he was intercepted by the petitioner and co-accused Rishabh and Harsh. They opened an assault upon him by giving fist blows, kicks and slaps and then fled away. His son along with his friends had gone to the house of the petitioner to complain but to no avail. Rather accused Rakhi caught hold of the son of the complainant with the help of accused Chand and Vicky who insulted his son in the name of his caste. The son of the complainant and his friends tried to flee from there but the petitioner and accused namely Rishabh, Harsh and Chand caught hold of him. They struck blows with their respective weapons. Accused Rishab struck a blow with a knife. The petitioner extended beatings with an iron punch to his son and the other accused also assaulted him with scissors and other weapons. The victim was rushed to the hospital but was declared to be brought dead.

3. After registration of FIR, investigation proceedings were initiated. Post mortem examination of the dead body of the victim was conducted. Statements of witnesses were recorded. The petitioner along with the co-accused Harsh, was arrested on 28.06.2025. He suffered disclosure statement admitting his involvement in the crime and demarcated the place of occurrence. The co-accused also suffered disclosure statement. Rakhi and Chand named as accused were found innocent. Remaining accu