Passport Authority Not Bound To Impound Passports On Pendency Of Criminal Cases, S.10(3)(e) Uses 'May': Allahabad High Court

In the Allahabad High Court ruling, it was held that a passport cannot be impounded solely due to a pending criminal case if the person is not a flight risk. The court emphasized that passport impoundment should not be arbitrary and should be based on valid reasons like avoiding the accused’s escape or hindering investigation. The judgment underlined the principle of balancing the right to travel against the need for ensuring justice. The court also noted that impounding a passport without substantial grounds infringes on personal freedoms and can only be justified in specific circumstances where the accused's international travel poses a threat to the investigation or trial process.