Children's Courts Notified For Speedy Trial Of Offences, Jurisdiction Of Criminal Courts Conducting Trial Not Taken Away: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court clarified that the jurisdiction of Magistrate Courts to try criminal cases is not taken away by the notification of Children’s Courts for the speedy trial of offences against children. The court was addressing a case where the Sessions Court had set aside a trial court’s conviction, citing that the Magistrate had lost jurisdiction after the notification of the Children’s Court. Justice P.G. Ajithkumar observed that while Children’s Courts are designated for the speedy trial of offences against children, this does not strip Magistrate Courts of their jurisdiction. The court emphasized that the notification under Section 25 of the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, was intended to ensure speedy trials but did not create exclusivity for Children’s Courts. The ruling underscores the importance of procedural propriety and the continued jurisdiction of Magistrate Courts in criminal matters involving children, ensuring that trials are conducted efficiently and justly.