Overview
- A division bench of Justices Ajit Kumar and Swarupama Chaturvedi dismissed petitioner Rahimuddin’s bid for a ten-year passport.
- The court held that if a criminal court specifies a travel period, the passport should match that duration, but if the order is silent, validity must be limited to one year with renewal possible under law.
- Rahimuddin received an NOC from the CJM, Pilibhit on October 10, 2024, and the RPO Bareilly issued a passport valid from January 20, 2025 to January 19, 2026.
- Relying on the Passport Act, Passport Rules, a 1993 MEA notification, and a Section 22 statutory instrument, the court found the one-year issuance lawful.
- Directing administrative compliance, the bench referenced the MEA Citizen’s Charter timelines, told police to finish verification within four weeks, and sent the ruling to all UP RPOs and the state Home Department.