Minor kept in UP jail as adult for over two months: NHRC orders probe

June 19, 2026

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report alleging that a 16-year-old boy was illegally confined as an adult inmate in Kasna jail in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Budh Nagar district for more than two months before being shifted to a juvenile home.

NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Report

Observing that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of human rights violation, the apex human rights body has issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Prisons Administration and Reform Services and the Director General of Police (DGP), seeking a detailed report within two weeks.

Spot Inquiry Ordered by NHRC

The NHRC has also directed its Director General (Investigation) to depute a team of officers to conduct a spot enquiry and submit a report within a week.

Allegations of Illegal Detention and Delay in Transfer

According to the media report, the victim continues to remain in a juvenile home despite having been granted bail by a court, as his family has been unable to arrange the required surety bond due to financial constraints.

The report further stated that the boy was lodged in jail as an adult inmate despite being a minor and was transferred to a juvenile home only after delay, even after an ossification test confirmed his age.