The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (September 9) stayed the order of the Juvenile Justice Board, Alappuzha that allowed the escorted movement of the children in conflict with law (CCL) for evidence collection in the Karuvatta murder case.

A detailed order is awaited.

The case refers to the murder of a 67-year-old man on August 17, 2026 allegedly by his 13-year-old granddaughter and three other minors. The minors are presently housed at the Government Observation Home, Alappuzha.

Justice G. Girish today stayed the JJB's order dated September 7 in a criminal revision petition filed by 3 of the CCL Nos. 1 to 3 in the crime registered by the Haripad Police Station.

According to the plea, the CCLs are accused of the offences under Sections 61(1), 49, 332(a), 103(1), 309, 238, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. It is further stated that the Child Welfare Police Officer filed an application before the JJB to interview the CCLs and requested their "escort movement" for evidence collection and recovery.

By order dated August 29, the JJB permitted the interview within the child-friendly premises of the Observation Home but deferred the request for escorted movement. Thereafter, JJB permitted the interview to be continued on September 1. In the meanwhile, the counsel for two of the CCLs filed detailed objection against the escorted movement.

The objection suggested adoption of alternative methods for the recovery of gloves, gold, and digital data, including CCTV analysis, independent witness examination, Cyber Cell intervention, and digital forensics, so as to not remove the children from the Observation Home. The defence counsel had also raised objection against the competence of the Investigating Officer. However, ignoring these objections, the impugned order was passed without application of mind, the plea states.

The plea further alleges that the JJB effectively granted custody of the CCLs in the name of escorted movement, in violation of the Juvenile Justice Act:

"The "escorted movement" operates as an illegal camouflage to secure recoveries under Section 23 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. Having secured disclosure statements during the authorized Observation Home interviews, the police are now using this transit exclusively for the physical recovery of items (apparel, gloves, gold). Because Section 23 discoveries are strictly inadmissible unless the accused is in police custody, authorizing this movement inherently sanctions the de facto police custody expressly barred by Section 10 of the JJ Act," states the plea.

It is also pointed out that the conditions imposed while allowing "escorted movement" are contradictory since though it mentions that the children cannot be exposed to the public, they are authorised to visit an EV charging station, a Railway Station, and a KSRTC Bus Stand.

Another ground taken is that there is violation of natural justice since the date and time of the movement is to be kept secret and communicated privately but the same left the children under a constant, arbitrary threat of imminent police control and effectively curtailing their right to prefer appellate remedies.

The plea thus seeks to quash the JJB order.

The petition is moved by Advocate K. Dhruv Kumar.

Case No: Crl.Rev.Pet No. 998/2026

Case Title: X and Ors. v. State of Kerala and Anr.