Juvenile's conviction can't hurt future prospects: SC

The Supreme Court has held that a juvenile's conviction cannot be used against them in future background checks or character certificates, ensuring that past transgressions do not permanently hinder their prospects.

- Utkarsh Anand

NEW DELHI:

Emphasising the rehabilitative nature of the juvenile justice law, the court struck down a police-issued character certificate that disclosed a juvenile conviction, and called it a violation of statutory safeguards.

A bench comprising justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta ruled in favour of a man who was denied employment due to the disclosure of his juvenile conviction by the Chhattisgarh Police. The court held that such disclosures undermine the protective legislative framework of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which aims to rehabilitate juveniles without subjecting them to lifelong stigma.