#criminal case pending

The Kerala High Court has ruled that an accused individual is entitled to a customized Police Clearance Certificate for overseas employment even with a pending criminal case, provided the certificate discloses the case details. This affirms the right to travel and work abroad as part of Article 21, preventing administrative overreach by passport authorities who treat pending cases as automatic disqualifiers.

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that denying character certificates solely due to pending petty criminal cases-especially familial disputes-is an arbitrary infringement of the right to livelihood and due process. Authorities must issue certificates in prescribed format, disclosing only case details, not imposing blanket rejections that cripple employment and travel rights.