Trivial Juvenile Offence Cannot Bar Employment in Defence Services: MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court held that conviction for trivial offences committed during juvenility cannot be used to deny employment in defence services.

Upholding the order directing appointment of a candidate selected for the post of Soldier (General Duty), the Court emphasised the rehabilitative and beneficial object of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.

It noted that the candidate’s offences; using obscene language, minor assault, and criminal intimidation, were petty in nature and resulted only in a fine imposed by the Juvenile Justice Board.

The Court observed that juvenile records, unless covered by statutory exceptions, should not operate as a lifelong disqualification or hinder reintegration into mainstream society.

[UOI & Ors. v. Pushpraj Singh]