1 8WP.2625-11 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL WRIT PETITION NO.2625 OF 2011 Prakash Madhukar Madane. ..Petitioner. Vs. The State of Maharashtra and others. ..Respondents. .......... Ms. Rebecca Gonsalves, amicus curiae for the petitioner. Mr. D.P. Adsule, A.P.P. for the State. .......... CORAM : A. M. KHANWILKAR AND P. D. KODE, JJ. DATED : 28th SEPTEMBER, 2011. P.C. 1. This Petition is received through jail. The principal relief claimed in this Petition is to consider the petitioner's claim that he was juvenile in conflict of law on the date of commission of offence for which reason he should be extended benefit under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 as amended. That question can be redressed before the Sessions Court by way of a formal enqiury under Section 7A of the Act read with Rule 12 of the Rules of 2007 framed under the said Act. 2. In the circumstances, we dispose of this Petition by relegating the petitioner before the Sessions Judge, Sangli who in turn shall treat PPD 2 8WP.2625-11 the present Petition as an application of the petitioner for determining his age on the date of commission of offence and if the petitioner is found to be juvenile in conflict of law on the date of commission of offence, to proceed in the matter on the basis of the mandatory requirements provided for in the Act of 2000. 3. Accordingly, this Petition is disposed of with direction to the Sessions Court, Sangli to consider the application of the petitioner expeditiously on its own merits in accordance with law. 4. Copy of this order and the petition be forthwith forwarded to the Sessions Judge, Sangli for information and necessary action. Copy of this order be also forwarded to the petitioner who is in jail for information. 5. The Court expresses a word of appreciation for the able assistance given by the learned amicus curiae for espousing the cause of the applicant. (P. D. KODE, J.) (A. M. KHANWILKAR, J.)