Topic
The Passport Act, 1967 governs the issuance, renewal, and revocation of Indian passports, with provisions like Section 6(2)(f) allowing denial if criminal proceedings are pending.
Gujarat High Court holds that accused persons granted anticipatory bail are entitled to passport renewal for 10 years under the Passport Rules, 1980, overriding the one-year limit under GSR Notification 570(E). The ruling underscores that travel restrictions must be explicitly imposed by a trial court, not presumed.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court held that passport authorities must assess applications on merits under the Passports Act, 1967, even if criminal proceedings are pending. The ruling mandates issuance with conditions like court-certified undertakings, reinforcing that automatic denial violates Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution.
Telangana High Court rules that passport renewal cannot be denied solely due to a pending criminal case under Section 6(2)(f) of the Passport Act, 1967. The court mandates that the trial court must issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) within one week, ensuring compliance with principles of natural justice and preventing arbitrary denial of passport services.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled that passport renewal cannot be denied solely based on pending criminal proceedings. Authorities must evaluate applications on merit, ensuring procedural safeguards and enforceable conditions under Article 21. This sets a precedent for balancing individual rights with administrative discretion in passport issuance.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled that passport authorities cannot withhold passport issuance solely due to pending criminal cases without a specific court order. Applicants may obtain passports by submitting a court-certified undertaking to not travel abroad without permission, upholding the right to travel under Article 21.
The Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled that passport renewal can be denied under Section 6(2)(f) of the Passport Act, 1967, if the applicant is evading pending criminal proceedings in India. The court emphasized that police verification reports citing pending FIRs are decisive, reinforcing the state's authority to restrict travel rights to ensure trial compliance.
Bombay HC rules that bail conditions permitting travel take precedence over GSR 1993 restrictions, allowing a convicted accused to apply for a passport during appeal pendency, provided it is deposited with the Investigating Officer. The judgment clarifies that statutory travel bans do not automatically bar passport applications if bail terms permit.
Telangana High Court holds that pending criminal proceedings do not invalidate passport validity; renewal must be permitted unless specific risk to justice exists.
High Court of Telangana upholds passport revocation under Passports Act, 1967 where intelligence inputs suggest threat to sovereignty, exempting authorities from natural justice norms.