Karnataka High Court Refuses To Quash Case Against Travel Agent Accused Of Fabricating Passport Documents For Terror Suspect

The Karnataka High Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against a travel agent accused of fabricating residential documents to facilitate passport renewal for a person wanted in a terror-related case, observing that such allegations go beyond ordinary criminal misconduct and raise serious concerns affecting national security.

Justice M. Nagaprasanna dismissed the petition filed by U.M. Haidar, who allegedly used his own address in multiple passport renewal applications, falsely presenting it as the genuine residential address of applicants. One such application resulted in the renewal of the passport of Ibrahim Khaleel, who is reportedly wanted by the Andhra Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad for alleged terrorist activities.

Haidar sought quashing of the FIR registered under Sections 465, 468, 471 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code, along with Section 12B of the Passports Act, 1967, contending that he merely performed routine duties as a travel agent.

Rejecting the plea, the Court held that the allegations involved much more than clerical assistance. It observed that by allegedly facilitating police verification based on fabricated residential credentials, the petitioner may have enabled travel documentation for a person accused of activities threatening national security.

The Court further ruled that Haidar's physical disability, health condition or claim of acting as a bona fide travel agent could not justify quashing the prosecution. It emphasised that if he knowingly or otherwise became part of a chain of events facilitating documentation for a terror suspect, the matter required a full-fledged trial.

Justice Nagaprasanna also directed scrutiny of the police constable who had cleared verification for all fifteen passport applications processed through the petitioner, observing that every individual who facilitates or negligently enables acts prejudicial to national security must be held accountable.