Passport Is Also a Means of Identification; Condition to Deposit It While Granting Bail Cannot Be Imposed Routinely: Punjab & Haryana High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that courts should not impose a condition requiring deposit of a passport in a routine or mechanical manner while granting bail. The Court observed that a passport is not merely a travel document but also an important proof of identity and nationality, and such a condition must be imposed only after careful assessment of necessity. Observation on misuse of routine bail conditions…