By Abraham Thomas,
The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed its disinclination to release the passport of social activist Teesta Setalvad insisting that as and when she submits an itinerary to travel abroad, her request for release of passport shall be considered.
Setalvad had deposited her passport with a trial court in Gujarat as part of a bail condition imposed by the top court in July 2023 while directing her release on bail in a case of alleged fabrication of evidence in the 2002 Gujarat riots cases.
Taking up the plea, a bench of justices Dipankar Datta, SC Sharma and Alok Aradhe said, “We will not allow the return of your passport like this. You can share your itinerary. For getting the passport, you have to make out a case.”
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for Setalvad said that since the term of the passport has to be renewed next year, the petitioner was requiring the same. He further submitted that whenever she has to travel abroad, she requires the passport in time to process her visa and other formalities and since time is limited, getting a hearing on her application poses a challenge.
The bench said, “Since this is a question of fundamental rights (to travel abroad), we will certainly not delay,” even as it pointed out the swiftness with which the three-judge bench was constituted to take up the present application.
On renewal, the court assured, “If it comes up for renewal, we will direct and see to it that the authorities renew it.” Sibal pointed out that even if she gets her passport, she still requires permission from the court to travel abroad and it was in these circumstances the application was filed.
“No orders are required to be passed,” the bench said, as it disposed the application with the direction, “As and when the petitioner desires to travel abroad, she may file an application.”
This story was originally published in hindustantimes.com. Read the full story here.
