The High Court of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir recently issued a notice on a plea by Iltija Javed, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, challenging the issuance of a conditional passport that re-stricts the scope of her travel abroad.
As per the condition prescribed by the passport authorities, she can only travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and only for the purpose of her higher studies.
Iltija moved the Court challenging the same and also registered objection to the validity period of the passport which was for 2 years (till April 2025), whereas passports generally have a 10-year validity period.
Justice Sanjay Dhar issued notice to the respon-dent-authorities and directed them to file their re-sponse within two weeks. Deputy Solicitor General of India, TM Shamsi appeared and accepted the notice on behalf of the respondents.
In her petition, Iltija challenged an endorsement added in the order issuing her passport, which stated that the passport is valid only for travel to the UAE.
“The right to travel abroad inheres in right to life and liberty as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. The expression ‘personal liberty’ in Article 21 of the Constitution takes in, the right to travel abroad. This right cannot be curtailed except in accordance with the procedure established by law,” Iltija’s plea stated.—KMS
