'Criminal Law Seeks To Reform': Kerala High Court Questions Non-Publication Of 10th Standard Results Of Students Involved In Shahabas Murder Case

“How can you delay or deny publishing results?... Why should they even have to move the Child Rights Commission? Under what authority are you refusing to publish the results? Publishing the results is totally different from the offence committed by them. If they have written the examination, the results have to be published” Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas observed orally.

The case involves the murder of 10^th standard student, Shahabas, who was allegedly attacked by his tuition fellow,s leading to his death. Five students have been booked in the case. It is said that the accused created Instagram and WhatsApp groups to discuss and decide how to attack Shahabas. He died due to a fracture on his skull.

Adv. K. M. Firoz, who appeared for one of the juveniles stated before the Court that the results of the children have not been published even after being directed to do so by the Child Rights Commission. He submitted that the government has discarded the direction of the Commission stating that it was only recommendatory in nature. The counsel emphasised the urgency in publishing the results by pointing out that the single window portal for application to Plus-one admission will be closed today.

“The whole concept of a criminal jurisprudence is reformation. Especially, when a child in conflict with law commits a crime, can you debar him from writing an examination? And after he has written the examination, can you withhold the results?” the Court asked the State orally

The Court was hearing an application challenging the order denying bail to the children. The Court said that since there is an order of the Child Rights Commission, the applicant will have to move the High Court challenging the non-compliance of the authorities to the order.

The Court orally observed that if the delay in publishing the results is purposeful, the officers responsible for it would have to be held responsible.

“Your officers who have not published the results despite this order has to be held responsible if it is a purposeful delay in publishing

The Bench will hear the matter of bail tomorrow.

Case Title: XX v State of Kerala

Case No: BA 6291/ 2025