IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Prathiba M.Singh, J.
Sh Rahul Vaid - Appellant
Versus
Union Of India & Anr. - Respondents
W.P. (C) No. 11072 of 2020; C.M. Appls No. 34572 of 2020, 34573 of 2020, 34574 of 2020
Decided On : 25-01-2021
passport renewal - matrimonial disputes - NDPS Act, 1985, Section 13 - the court discussed the conditions imposed on the petitioner regarding passport renewal and travel permissions, and upheld the continuation of these conditions on the petitioner despite the issuance of a new passport.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner sought clarification on the continuation of conditions imposed on passport renewal and travel permissions in the context of matrimonial disputes and criminal proceedings.
Finding of the Court:
The court upheld the continuation of conditions imposed on the petitioner despite the issuance of a new passport.
Issues: Clarification on the continuation of conditions imposed on passport renewal and travel permissions.
Ratio Decidendi: The conditions contained in the order dated 25th November, 2019 shall continue to apply on the Petitioner despite the issuance of a new passport.
Final Decision: The court directed the Ministry of External Affairs and the Consulate General of India in Sydney to ensure that the Petitioner strictly abides by the conditions contained in the order dated 25th November, 2019.
JUDGMENT
Prathiba M. Singh, J. - This hearing has been done in hybrid mode (physical and virtual hearing).
2. In accordance with the last order dated 6th January, 2021, ld. counsel for the Petitioner has sought instructions and submits that his passport has been renewed for a period of five years by the Consulate General of India in Sydney.
3. There is an impleadment application, CM Appl. No. 2670/2021, which has been filed by Ms. Kanika Vaid the wife of the Petitioner in this matter. Various orders passed by the Court in the criminal proceedings which are pending against the Petitioner have been placed on record. It is her submission that the renewal of the passport was subject to various conditions as contained in the order dated 25th November, 2019, passed by the Special Judge (NDPS), North, Rohini Courts, Delhi in the revision petition filed by the Petitioner. She further submits that this order has been upheld by this Court vide order dated 29th January, 2020 in Crl.M.C 6194/2019 titled Kanika Vaid v. State (NCT of Delhi) & Anr. However, though the old passport has been suspended and a new one has been issued there is no clarity as to whether the conditions imposed vide order dated 25th November 2019 continue to operate qua the Petitioner or not. This position deserves to be clarified according to the intervenor.
4. A perusal of the impleadment shows that there are matrimonial disputes between the Petitioner and his wife leading to complaints being filed. In one such complaint filed by Ms.Vaid, the Petitioner sought anticipatory bail which was dismissed. Since he was already in Australia, finally he travelled to India and was even arrested. The Petitioner then sought permission to travel to Australia which was initially dismissed on 26th August 2019. However, in a Revision petition filed by the Petitioner, vide order dated 25th November 2019, the Sessions Court granted permission to travel subject to the following conditions:
"13. In view of such observations, this court passes the following directions:
i) That the order dated 26.08.2019 passed in FIR No.403/18, U/s 498-A/406/313/354-A/34 IPC, PS Model Town is set-aside and, thus, the applicant is permitted to travel/go abroad for resuming his duty;
ii) That the court directs the Passport Authority to consider the application of the applicant to be moved to renew the passport of the applicant in accordance with law and rules without influencing by any findings passed in this order;
iii) That in case the applicant joined his duties in Australia then the applicant shall supply all his functioning mobile numbers and the place of abode within 10 days to the ld. Trial Court as well as to the Consulate General of India in the said country;
iv) That the applicant shall not visit any other country except India and Australia without obtaining prior permission of the court;
v) That the applicant shall submit his passport within 48 hours immediately to the office of Consulate General of India in Australia and whenever he shall have to come to India, he shall have to apply for the release of his passport;
vi) That the applicant shall appear either himself or through his counsel on each date of hearing unless the presence of the applicant is unavoidable, as per directions to be passed, by the ld. Trial Court. Ld. Counsel for the applicant shall submit before the 1d. Trial Court that he will not dispute the identity of the applicant during trial on dates when the applicant will appear through his counsel;
vii) That in case the applicant violates any of the condition, then the ld. Trial Court is at liberty to pass any order in accordance with the law including the order to reconsider the earlier orders passed."
5. The above order was challenged by the Petitioner before this court in Crl.M.C 6194/2019 titled Kanika Vaid v. State (NCT of Delhi) & Anr. The same was dismissed by a Ld Single Judge vide order dated 29th January 2020. The operative portion of the said order is set out below:
"As regards t
AI
The court upheld the continuation of conditions imposed on the petitioner despite the issuance of a new passport, emphasizing the importance of complying with the conditions set by the court.
Court reaffirmed that existing judicial conditions must be fulfilled in passport renewals and travel permissions amidst ongoing legal disputes.
Conditions for passport renewal should not be excessively burdensome when the accused is not seeking to travel abroad; appropriate conditions can be imposed when permission to travel is requested.
The denial of passport renewal based solely on pending cases without affording a fair hearing violates principles of natural justice and the right to livelihood under Article 21.
The right to renew a passport is part of personal liberty and cannot be arbitrarily restricted without due process, particularly when the individual is not convicted.
The court highlighted the balance between legal restrictions and the practical needs of an accused in conducting business.
The court held that a petitioner could seek renewal of a passport without breaching bail conditions if no permission to leave the jurisdiction was required.
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.