Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (Supreme Court of India, 1978-01-25) AIR 1978 SC 597 is a ruling on the Right to Information Act, 2005 — Section Passports Act §10. Impoundment requires written order + fair hearing. Impoundment of a passport under §10 of the Passports Act 1967 cannot be done arbitrarily.

Impoundment requires written order + fair hearing.

Impoundment of a passport under §10 of the Passports Act 1967 cannot be done arbitrarily. A written order stating the ground and a fair hearing to the passport holder are mandatory under Article 21.

• Section Passports Act §10

Article 21 + procedural fairness; foundational ruling on impoundment.

• Citation: AIR 1978 SC 597
• Court: Supreme Court of India
• Date: 1978-01-25
• Outcome: allowed
• Reporter / Cause-list: AIR 1978 SC 597

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Last reviewed: 23 April 2026.