https://www.taxtmi.com/caselaws?id=302449 Pendency of criminal proceedings does not automatically bar passport issuance. Under the Passports Act, refusal may arise only where proceedings are pending before a criminal court, while a mere investigation stage does not require magistrate permission and the passport authority may decide the application. Where court permission is needed, the criminal court should apply objective factors, including the stage of the case, likely trial duration, antecedents and conduct, seriousness of the offence, risk of absconding, means of securing attendance, and the period of travel or passport validity. These safeguards are meant to balance personal liberty with securing the accused's presence at trial. en-us Thu, 30 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Thu, 26 May 2022 20:41:35 +0530 TaxTMI RSS Generator https://www.taxtmi.com/caselaws?id=302449 Pendency of criminal proceedings does not automatically bar passport issuance. Under the Passports Act, refusal may arise only where proceedings are pending before a criminal court, while a mere investigation stage does not require magistrate permission and the passport authority may decide the application. Where court permission is needed, the criminal court should apply objective factors, including the stage of the case, likely trial duration, antecedents and conduct, seriousness of the offence, risk of absconding, means of securing attendance, and the period of travel or passport validity. These safeguards are meant to balance personal liberty with securing the accused's presence at trial. Case-Laws Indian Laws Thu, 30 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0530 https://www.taxtmi.com/caselaws?id=302449