Desk Correspondent , New Delhi - The Supreme Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to pay ₹5 lakh compensation to a man who, as a juvenile, was unlawfully lodged in jail with adult prisoners, violating the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. A bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.S. Chandurkar termed the incident a "constitutional tort" stemming from official insensitivity and lack of coordination, despite his juvenility being declared. The now-adult accused is being tried as an adult for a 2022 double murder case but was entitled to safeguards like placement in observation homes during his minor status.

The court slammed sessions and Allahabad High Court judges for overlooking his jail placement in bail proceedings, highlighting systemic failures in the juvenile justice framework. It noted the incarceration undermined child protection laws and the right to life, urging robust mechanisms to prevent recurrence. In response, UP submitted a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for streamlined juvenility verification, training, and communication, which the bench endorsed and ordered circulated to all states and high courts nationwide.

"Present is a case where a juvenile has been wrongfully put in regular jail... because of lack of communication, insensitivity, and inhumane approach," the bench observed in its Saturday order. The state must transfer the compensation upon bank details submission, with the SOP mandating police and prison sensitisation to enforce compliance.