(1) Where a child alleged to be in conflict with law is produced before Board, the Board shall hold an inquiry in accordance with the provisions of this Act and may pass such orders in relation to such child as it deems fit under sections 17 and 18 of this Act.
(2) The inquiry under this section shall be completed within a period of four months from the date of first production of the child before the Board, unless the period is extended, for a maximum period of two more months by the Board, having regard to the circumstances of the case and after recording the reasons in writing for such extension.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 14
Section 14 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 governs the conduct, procedure, and strict statutory timelines for inquiries carried out by the Juvenile Justice Board.
Sub-section (3) creates a crucial statutory consequence for petty offences: if the inquiry concerning a petty offence is not completed within six months, the proceedings before the Board shall stand terminated automatically. Sub-section (5) regulates the inquiry process based on the nature of the offence, requiring summary proceedings for petty offences, summons trial procedures for serious offences, and preliminary assessments under Section 15 for heinous offences allegedly committed by children above sixteen.
The six-month termination guillotine under Section 14(3) for petty offences represents a legislative safeguard against judicial inertia. It protects children from lingering stigma and prolonged pendency, ensuring that child inquiries do not mirror the chronic delays typical of adult criminal courts.