#passport denial

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.

Madras High Court rules that passport denial under Section 6 of the Passports Act requires pending criminal proceedings before a court, not just an FIR. The judgment mandates strict adherence to statutory grounds, impacting passport applicants facing police investigations without formal charges.