Ahmedabad: The Juvenile Justice Board has denied bail to the minor boy who allegedly stabbed Nayan Santani, a student of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) School in Maninagar, to death in August this year.

The accused, who is also a student at the same school, attacked Santani with a box cutter, causing severe injuries. Santani later died during treatment. The incident sparked widespread public outrage, prompting protests and an extended closure of the school.

Under the Juvenile Justice Act, minors are generally considered for bail following counselling. However, Assistant Public Prosecutor AK Tiwari opposed the bail application, highlighting the seriousness of the crime and the accused’s psychological profile. Tiwari noted that the minor brought a weapon to school, suggesting premeditation, and raised concerns over his mindset, pointing out that the boy referred to himself as “Escobar,” a notorious criminal, even mentioning it in his schoolbooks. He further argued that granting bail could have a negative influence on other students.

After reviewing the arguments and considering the wider implications, Principal Magistrate MV Pandya rejected the bail application. DeshGujarat