In Anjum Mehmood v. Union Territory of J&K, the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that bail for juveniles under Section 12 of the Juvenile Justice Act is not absolute, especially in heinous offences. The applicant, a 16-year-old, was accused of serious offences under the UAPA, including links with ISI and sharing sensitive security information. The Court ruled that although bail is the general rule for juveniles, it can be denied where release would defeat the “ends of justice.” This includes consideration of the gravity of the offence, national security implications, and societal impact. Relying on Om Prakash v. State of Rajasthan, the Court emphasized that reformative justice cannot override threats to national interest. Bail was therefore rejected.