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Allahabad HC Invokes ‘Right to be Forgotten’ Under Juvenile Justice Act 2015, Directs Passport Issuance Overriding Conviction

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
08 May 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Section 6(2)(f) of Passports Act 1967Section 19 of JJ Act 2000Section 24 of JJ Act 2015Article 21Article 43
Bodies:Allahabad High CourtJuvenile Justice BoardRegional Passport Office
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What This Article Covers

1.The Allahabad High Court directed the Regional Passport Office to issue a passport to an individual despite a prior conviction as a minor, citing the 'right to be forgotten' and the 'fresh start' principle under juvenile justice statutes.

2.The court clarified that Section 6(2)(f) of the Passports Act, 1967, only allows refusal if criminal proceedings are currently pending, and past juvenile delinquency, after probation, does not qualify.

3.This ruling underscores the constitutional 'right to travel' under Article 21 and the legislative intent of the Juvenile Justice Acts (2000 & 2015) to remove stigma and ensure reintegration.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The Allahabad High Court ruled that a juvenile conviction cannot be a legal impediment for passport issuance, invoking the 'right to be forgotten' and 'fresh start' principles under the Juvenile Justice Act. This landmark judgment reinforces the rehabilitative purpose of juvenile law and clarifies the limited grounds for passport refusal under the Passports Act, 1967.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Court & BenchAllahabad High Court; Justices Indrajeet Shukla and Ajit Kumar
Date of RulingMay 7, 2026
Key Legal ProvisionSection 6(2)(f) of Passports Act, 1967
Juvenile Justice Acts CitedJuvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 & 2015
Constitutional ArticlesArticle 21 & Article 43

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Court & Bench: Allahabad High Court; Justices Indrajeet Shukla and Ajit Kumar
  • ›Date of Ruling: May 7, 2026
  • ›Target this Data: The only valid ground for passport refusal under Section 6(2)(f) of the Passports Act, 1967, is 'pending criminal proceedings'.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) is the competent authority to try juveniles in conflict with law.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Section 19 of the JJ Act, 2000, and Section 24 of the JJ Act, 2015, provide for the removal of disqualification and destruction of records for juveniles.

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Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which quasi-judicial body is specifically empowered under the Juvenile Justice Act to handle cases of children in conflict with law?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Allahabad High Court ruling:

1. The court held that a past juvenile conviction, after completion of probation, is a valid ground for refusing a passport under the Passports Act.

2. The judgment invoked the 'right to be forgotten' as an absolute right for juveniles under Section 24 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.

3. The court clarified that the only valid ground for passport refusal under Section 6(2)(f) is the pendency of criminal proceedings against the applicant.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

Under which specific section of the Passports Act, 1967, did the Allahabad High Court identify the sole valid ground for refusing a passport application?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary legislative objective of the Juvenile Justice Act, as emphasized by the Allahabad High Court in its ruling?

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