A court in Delhi, recognizing that the right to travel is an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, has allowed for the modification of a bail order that imposed restrictions on traveling abroad through court permissions and the surrendering of a passport.
Music video producer Amandeep Singh Batra approached the Patiala House District Court seeking modification of bail conditions imposed at the time of granting bail submitting that he should be given liberty to leave the country with prior intimation to the court without seeking any formal permission from the court in that regard and his passport be released to him.
The State contended that Batra possesses the risk of Batra fleeing to a non-extradition country, rendering the trial futile. Further, arguing that modifying bail conditions would compromise the prosecution’s ability to secure his presence, potentially stalling the trial.
The Court allowed the plea relying on the fact that Batra had previously travelled abroad on 4 occasions with prior permission and had duly complied with all conditions, returning within the stipulated time.
Arjun Syal was representing Amandeep Singh Batra.
