Right to be Forgotten: Allahabad High Court allows passport issuance for former juvenile convicts

Key facts

• The Allahabad High Court directed the regional passport office to process passport applications of individuals convicted as minors by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) regardless of prior convictions.
• The ruling invoked the principles of a fresh start and the right to be forgotten to prevent past juvenile delinquency from impairing future rehabilitation and reintegration.
• The court noted that under Section 6(2)(f) of the Passports Act, 1967, the only valid ground for refusing a passport is the pendency of criminal proceedings.
• Section 19 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, mandates the removal of disqualifications attaching to a juvenile conviction to avoid social stigma.
• Section 24 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, provides the right to be forgotten as an absolute right to protect the future prospects of juveniles.