Khushi Gupta
Published on: April 26, 2022 at 17:46 IST
A Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Court recently allowed a Central Government Employee’s Plea seeking the release of his passport. He stated that like any other citizen he too is entitled to the travel document.
Special Central Bureau of Investigation Judge Vishal Gogne felt favourably inclined to the Plea of the Public Servant facing Corruption and Criminal Conspiracy Charges and released the passport after noting that he could still be restrained from travelling abroad subject to the Court’s permission.
“The applicant, like any other citizen, is entitled to a passport/renewal of the same/use of the same for travel. Such rights can be regulated in terms of the order from a Court where the Accused is facing trial and a necessity is felt for regulating either the possession of the passport or its use for travel,” the Order stated.
“It is rather the directions/restrictions with respect to travelling abroad which ensure that an applicant does not leave the country without liberty being granted by the Court,” the Court said.
“It does also weigh with the Court that while the Central Bureau of Investigation has thus so far only filed a Closure Report, the passports have continued to be retained by the Investigation Officer for the last six years. The passports must return to the Custody of the holder — the Applicant. The Application is allowed,” the Order said.