In Brief
The Union of India cancelled the appointment of a selected Sub-Inspector candidate in the CISF based on a past criminal case, despite his acquittal and disclosure of the case in his application. The Supreme Court held that a candidate cannot be denied employment for a crime committed when a juvenile, especially when acquitted and fully disclosed. The Court applied the Juvenile Justice Acts' principle of "fresh start"—that past records of juveniles should be erased and not used against them later. Since the respondent was a minor at the time of the alleged offence and was acquitted due to lack of evidence, his appointment could not be withdrawn. The appeal was dismissed, restoring his offer of appointment."
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.