Bombay High Court Upholds Denial of Police Clearance to 26/11 Acquitted Accused Seeking Auto Permit

The Bombay High Court upheld the Maharashtra Government’s decision to deny a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) to Fahim Ansari, who was acquitted in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case.

Ansari had sought the PCC to obtain permission to drive an autorickshaw for livelihood.

The Court held that restricting certain employment opportunities on grounds of public safety and national security amounts to a “reasonable restriction” on the right to livelihood.

It observed that the denial was based on intelligence inputs, criminal antecedents, and security concerns, while also clarifying that Ansari was not completely barred from seeking other forms of employment.

[Fahim Arshad Mohammed Yusuf Ansari v. State of Maharashtra]