The Supreme Court has held that passport renewals cannot be denied to people facing criminal cases because any restriction on foreign travel can be imposed only by courts. Agarwal had contended that the high court’s order came despite the NIA court in Ranchi and Delhi High Court permitting him to travel abroad, subject to certain conditions to secure his presence during the trial. In the present case, both criminal courts have done exactly that,” Justice Nath, who authored the judgment, said. The apex court said Section 6(2)(f) of the Passports Act empowered the authorities to withhold permission for the issue or renewal of a passport to a person facing a criminal case in any court. However, if a jurisdictional court permits such a person to travel, the passport must be issued, and the embargo on the renewal under Section 6(2)(f) will not apply.

Source: The Telegraph December 23, 2025 23:45 UTC