IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Crl.Misc.No.M-23672 of 2011 (O&M) Date of decision : 8.8.2011 Sukhpal Singh and another ....Petitioners Versus State of Punjab and another ...Respondents CORAM : HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE MAHESH GROVER .... Present: Mr.S.K.Bawa Advocate for the petitioners. ..... MAHESH GROVER, J. No ground to grant the prayer of the petitioners as has been made in the instant petition. It is averred that there is a violation of Section 14 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, according to which every inquiry pertaining to a juvenile has to be completed within a period of four months and violation thereof should have been construed to be a benefit in favour of the petitioner so as to result in his acquittal. On hearing the learned counsel for the petitioners, I am of the opinion that the petition is misconceived. Section 14 of the Act and the period prescribed therein is merely an enabling provision and directory in nature and cannot bind the Court to the extent that violation thereof would result in any benefit to the juvenile. The petition is thus dismissed. However, it is always expected of the trial Crl.Misc.No.M-23672 of 2011 (O&M) -2- Courts to conclude the trials as expeditiously as possible especially when they are dealing with beneficial legislations such as the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. 8.8.2011 (MAHESH GROVER) JUDGE dss