Charges framed against minor in Seventh Day School student murder case

The Juvenile Justice Board of Gujarat has framed charges against a minor in connection with the murder of a student of Seventh Day Adventist School in Maninagar, Ahmedabad. 

The proceedings are being conducted under the Juvenile Justice Act against the child in conflict with the law. During the proceedings, statements of five witnesses were recorded, and the process of examining the evidence has begun. The board has fixed January 29 as the next date of hearing.

The case pertains to the murder of Nayan Santani, a student of Seventh Day who was allegedly stabbed to death by a fellow student of the same school. The city crime branch had filed a charge sheet of over 100 pages against the minor within a month of the incident. The charge sheet includes more than 50 pieces of evidence, including CCTV footage, statements of witnesses recorded before a magistrate, details of the identification parade and eyewitness accounts. In all, over 54 witnesses have been cited in the case, officials disclosed.

The minor is currently being held in a juvenile detention facility. At the stage of framing charges, the board directed the minor’s guardian to remain present before the board.

Appearing for the state, Additional Public Prosecutor Amit Tiwari submitted that the case was serious and sensitive, involving the murder of a fellow student within the school premises. He told the board that strong and cogent evidence was available against the minor and urged that charges be framed and the trial process initiated.

The prosecution also drew the board’s attention to submissions that the minor allegedly carried sharp weapons such as knives despite being a school student, which, according to the state, reflected a criminal mindset. It was further submitted that the minor identified himself with ‘Escobar’ and wrote the name in his notebooks, referring to a notorious criminal whom he allegedly idolised.

The prosecution also argued that the case should be dealt with keeping in mind its gravity and sensitivity.

The prosecution further informed the board that during counselling, it was observed that while the minor’s behaviour in the juvenile home had shown improvement, he had not expressed remorse or regret over the killing of his fellow student. According to experts, it may take time for the minor to feel remorse.