Individuals with pending criminal cases can obtain travel permissions through court approval.

JUDGMENT

The petitioner, who holds an Indian passport and wishes to go abroad for employment purpose, is aggrieved by the non issuance of a Police Clearance Certificate by the 1st respondent. Ext.P1 is the application for Police Clearance Certificate.

2. The petitioner is an accused in C.C No.329 of 2024 pending on the files of the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court - III, Kollam. The said court, by Ext.P2 order, has exempted the petitioner from personal appearance subject to conditions.

3. The learned DSGI appearing for the 1^st respondent submitted that the petitioner is involved in a criminal case and, therefore, only a customised Police Clearance Certificate can be issued, and that too, only on orders from this Court.

4. This Court in Siju v. Regional Passport Officer [2021 KHC 1002] has held that even if there is a criminal case pending, one is entitled to travel with the permission of the court before which the case is pending.

Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of directing the 1^st respondent to issue a customised Police Clearance Certificate to the petitioner, stating the details of the pending criminal case against him. This shall be done within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment.