Punjab & Haryana High Court Urges Liberal Approach to Accused’s Travel Requests

The Punjab and Haryana High Court underscored that courts must adopt a liberal and pragmatic approach while deciding applications by accused persons seeking permission to travel abroad.

Observing that in an era of globalisation, travel has become a “quotidian necessity rather than a rarefied privilege,” the Court cautioned against mechanically imposing travel restrictions.

The Court held that the right to personal liberty and freedom of movement must be harmonised with the interests of justice, especially when the accused has cooperated with the investigation and poses no flight risk.

The Court concluded that each case must be evaluated on its individual merits.

[Jonty Chhag @ Jonty Vinay Chhag v State of Haryana]