Yes. A passport can be impounded when a criminal case is pending before a court, but it is not automatic.
Under Section 10(3)(e) of the Passports Act, 1967, the Passport Authority has the power to impound or revoke a passport when criminal proceedings are pending against the passport holder. However, courts have clarified that merely having a pending criminal case does not automatically require the passport to be impounded. The Passport Authority must consider the circumstances and exercise its discretion.
Also, the court itself generally cannot impound a passport under the ordinary provision for impounding documents; the power to impound a passport is primarily governed by the Passports Act.
So, having a court case does not necessarily mean your passport will be taken away, but a pending criminal proceeding can be a legal ground for the Passport Authority to consider impounding it.
