Emedinews:Insights on Medicolegal Issues:Medicolegal importance of age (up to 14 years)

• 7 years: In accordance with Section 82 of Indian Penal Code, any act that is done by a child under 7 years of age is not an offence.
• 7–12 years: In accordance with Section 83 of Indian Penal Code, a child between 7–12 years of age is presumed to be capable of committing an offence, if he attained sufficient maturity of understanding to judge the nature and consequences of his conduct on that occasion. This maturity is presumed in a child of 7–12 years age until the contrary is proved.
• 10 years: In accordance with Section 369 of Indian Penal Code, kidnapping or abducting a child below 10 years of age with intention to steal from its person is a criminal punishable offence.
• 14 years: A child below 14 years of age cannot be employed to work in any factory or mine under Indian Factory Act 1948.
• A person completing 15 and up to 18 years is allowed to work as adolescent employee in a factory if a fitness certificate is issued by a competent registered doctor.