![Juvenile in Jail](http://media.assettype.com/barandbench%2F2022-09%2F4c4623bf-4ce7-4d61-b575-8fc8291739f7%2F56.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
The Supreme Court recently ruled that the three-month deadline under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act or JJ Act for preliminary assessment of the child aged 16 years and above, in case of a heinous offence, is not mandatory but directory [Child in conflict with law Through his mother v. State of Karnataka and Another].