#Section 15 JJ Act

When the Juvenile Justice Board determines a person is above 16 years, the law mandates trial as an adult in the Children's Court under the POCSO Act - proceedings cannot be quashed merely because the accused claims juvenile status. This ruling closes a procedural loophole and reinforces that age determination by the JJB is final for forum allocation, binding all subsequent courts.

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that the statutory 3-month window for preliminary assessment under the Juvenile Justice Act begins when the child is first produced before the Juvenile Justice Board for age determination, not at the time of FIR registration or initial police production. This ensures procedural fairness and prevents premature trial as an adult, safeguarding juveniles from procedural delays that could undermine their statutory rights.