High Court has decided that police cannot examine the mobile phones of children under the age of 15 in connection with allegations against them. The court referred to the Juvenile Justice Act, which exempts minors under this age from criminal responsibility, affirming that they cannot be forced to comply with such investigative actions.

This case pertains to police requesting an order from the Juvenile Court to seize and access the phone of a 14-year-old boy allegedly linked to a crime. The Juvenile Court rejected the request, stating that the child could not be subjected to such an order due to his age and lack of criminal liability. The state appealed, arguing that such a search could be authorised even without formal charges. However, the High Court upheld the lower court’s decision, emphasizing constitutional protections for personal rights and noting that any restriction of these rights must be clearly defined by law.

The ruling also made it clear that even if a court order were issued, the minor could not be forced to comply, as children under 15 are not criminally responsible. Instead, the court stressed that rehabilitation, rather than criminal investigation, should be the focus when dealing with minors involved in alleged offences.