Gujarat High Court|Thursday, 5 February 2026
Gujarat HC Rules on Passport Issuance for Jeet Shaileshbhai Bhojani Amid Criminal Charges
Bench
Hon'ble Mr. Justice Aniruddha P. Mayee
HONOURABLE ANIRUDDHA P. MAYEE
Gujarat HC Rules on Passport Issuance for Jeet Shaileshbhai Bhojani Amid Criminal Charges (2026) held that The trial court has the exclusive authority to permit an accused to travel abroad, not the passport authorities.
Jeet Shaileshbhai Bhojani filed a writ petition seeking the issuance of a 10-year passport despite pending criminal charges against him. The court examined the applicability of GSR Notification 570(E) concerning passport issuance for individuals facing criminal proceedings. Ultimately, the court ruled that the passport authorities must issue the passport as per the guidelines established by the Bombay High Court, emphasizing that the trial court holds the authority to permit travel abroad.
The trial court has the exclusive authority to permit an accused to travel abroad, not the passport authorities.
GSR Notification 570(E) mandates that passports can be issued or renewed based on court orders, particularly when criminal cases are pending.
The Bombay High Court's guidelines regarding passport renewals for individuals with pending criminal cases are persuasive and should be followed.
FIR lodged against petitioner
Criminal Case No.253 initiated
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Petitioner applied for passport
Previous court order regarding passport issuance
Final judgment delivered
