Can’t deny passport for seeking political asylum abroad: HC
20 Dec 2014 1:50 AM GMT
The Delhi High Court has held that a person’s decision to seek political asylum in a foreign country in the past can’t be a valid ground for denying him an Indian passport.
Justice Vibhu Bakhru said applying for political asylum may result in bad publicity for a country “but that does not mean that same is prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India” and “said action cannot be considered as a ground for denying passports”.
The court made the observation in its judgment on the petitions of three men — Kulvir Singh, Inderdeep Chamber and Bhupinder Singh Nijjar — who had applied for political asylum in European countries while they were overseas.
The court set aside the decisions of the Chief Passport Officer to deny passports to the three.
Justice Vibhu Bakhru said applying for political asylum may result in bad publicity for a country “but that does not mean that same is prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India” and “said action cannot be considered as a ground for denying passports”.
The court made the observation in its judgment on the petitions of three men — Kulvir Singh, Inderdeep Chamber and Bhupinder Singh Nijjar — who had applied for political asylum in European countries while they were overseas.
The court set aside the decisions of the Chief Passport Officer to deny passports to the three.
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