#Passport refusal

Allahabad HC holds that convictions under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, do not constitute a disqualification for passport issuance, as the statute's 'fresh start' principle and Article 21's right to travel override administrative refusals based on juvenile records. The ruling mandates passport authorities to disregard such convictions when assessing eligibility.

Allahabad HC rules that a juvenile conviction under the JJ Act 2000 carries no disqualification for passport issuance, as refusal based on a stigmatic past violates Article 21 and the principle of fresh start. The judgment mandates administrative authorities to disregard juvenile records when assessing passport eligibility, reinforcing constitutional protections for rehabilitation and mobility.