New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Friday issued notice to the central government on a plea by advocate Prashant Bhushan challenging the government's refusal to reissue him a passport with full validity of 10 years as criminal cases are pending against him.
Justice Rajiv Shakdher sought a response from the ministry of external affairs and the regional passport office, Ghaziabad, while posting the matter for March 16.
Advocate Pranav Sachdeva, appearing for Bhushan, told the court that merely because a criminal case pertaining to being part of an unlawful assembly is pending against him, the government denied him a passport with full validity.
Bhushan, also a founding member of India Against Corruption (IAC), had staged a protest in August 2012 against the coal scam. Though the protest was non-violent, the police had registered a few cases under section 144 of the CrPC for participating in an assembly which was declared unlawful, against the members of the IAC, including Bhushan. The cases are pending in Patiala House court, the plea said.
The advocate argued that the one-year restriction on reissuing the passport is "arbitrary, unreasonable and also discriminatory" and thus in violation of article 14 (equality before law) of the constitution.
Hearing the plea Justice Shakdher asked the Centre: "If someone holds a valid passport but against him some minor traffic violation case is filed, then can you stop subsequent reissue of his passport."
The court also noted that "only if a court impounds the passport or put restrictions on foreign travel, then only passport validity can be restricted".
As per the plea Bhushan had applied for renewal/reissue of the passport to the regional passport office June 26, 2014 and on the same day, as per procedure, his old passport was cancelled. The government had informed him that in order to get his passport renewed, he needs to first obtain a no objection certificate (NOC) from the concerned court where criminal cases are pending against him.
On Sep 2, 2014 he moved an application before the Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) at Patiala House Courts here seeking a NOC for the reissue of his passport, which was granted to him. However, the NOC did not specify the duration of validity of the passport.
On Sep 15 the government reissued the passport of Bhushan for a period of only one year instead of the full validity period of 10 years.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain appearing for the Centre cited an Aug 25, 1993 notification, saying "Bhushan's request for re-issue of passport for full validity cannot be acceded to unless the court concerned issues a fresh order in this regard".
The ASG argued that as per the notification a person (having a criminal case pending) who applies for issue or reissue of passport to first obtain a NOC from the court where the case is pending and that if the court does not lay down any time period for renewal, then a passport of only one year validity would be issued.
The passport issued to Bhushan from Sep 12, 2014 with a short validity of one year, is due to expire on Sep 11, 2015.
IND vs ENG Playing 11: Two Indian players can debut in Rajkot, Jadeja is fit, and knows possible playing-11
The third match of the five-Test series between India and England will be played in Rajkot from Thursday (February 15). Team India is eyeing a 2-1 lead in the series. He made a brilliant comeback by
Petrol Diesel Price: Somewhere 191, so somewhere petrol is available for less than three rupees, where is the price
There is an outcry over the prices of petrol and diesel in India. The ever-increasing prices have put people at ease. Customers in the country are paying almost three times the base price of petrol
Realme C35 Launch: Realme launched a powerful phone on a low budget, 50-megapixel camera will be available in 13 thousand
Realme C35 Launch: After Redmi, Realme is counted in the smartphone giving more features at a lower price. To give the latest technology to its customers, this company also releases its models from
Will it rain in July or will it continue to hit the heat, know what the Meteorological Department has estimated
'Normal' or 'beyond normal' rainfall is likely over parts of North India, most parts of Central India, and South in July. The India Meteorological Department gave this information on Friday. 'Normal'
Fight for farmers abroad too: Punjabis settled in US-Canada started social media campaign, live streaming of Protest
The farmers' movement on the Delhi border against agricultural laws is getting worldwide support. Especially in Canada, America, Australia, England, and other countries, Punjabis are supporting the
Rinku Singh Engagement: SP MP Priya Saroj became very emotional during the ring ceremony with Rinku Singh, tears of joy flowed.
The engagement ceremony of Indian cricketer Rinku Singh and MP Priya Saroj was completed on Sunday at Hotel Centrum. As soon as Rinku Singh put the ring on Priya's finger in the presence of family
Waqf Act: The Supreme Court said that- solid basis is necessary for interim relief; the Central Government will present its side today
Hearing the petitions challenging the validity of the Waqf Amendment Act 2025, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said that every law has a presumption of constitutionality in its favour. To get interim
Pooja Khedkar: Pistol and cartridges seized from Pooja Khedkar's mother's house, father gets conditional bail from court
The troubles of trainee IAS Pooja Khedkar, who is surrounded by controversies, are not decreasing. The Union Public Service Commission has registered an FIR against Pooja Khedkar. Now the rural police
India-Israel: Iran's comment on Indian treatment of minorities is ridiculous, Israeli ambassador hits back
Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar on Wednesday condemned Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's remarks about India's minorities. He termed his statement as ridiculous and hypocritical.
Salman Khan Misses Eid: Salman Khan will not come on this Eid, has made a plan to have a blast on Diwali and Christmas
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan releases some of his films every year on Eid and gives Eid to his fans. But this year he has a different plan. Bhaijaan has told that he is planning to do a blast on
