Bombay High Court Permits Convicted Man to Travel for Haj After Years-Long Appeal Delay

The Bombay HC allowed Rahim Khan Sandu Khan to go on the Haj pilgrimage from April 2025 to September 2025, even though he was convicted of electricity theft.

In October 2016, Khan was found guilty of electricity theft under Section 135 of the Indian Electricity Act and sentenced to two years in prison by a sessions court.

Khan immediately appealed his conviction, and the Bombay HC granted him bail, suspending his sentence. However, his appeal has been pending since 2016 with no scheduled hearing.

Therefore, Justice Abhay Waghwase allowed him to travel for Haj but set conditions—Khan must provide an undertaking, full travel details, and property details to the authorities.