The Allahabad High Court grants relief to BBC journalist Mohammad Seraj Ali by overturning the denial of a passport NOC linked to his reporting on the controversial Barabanki mosque demolition.

Court Overturns NOC Rejection for BBC Journalist Mohammad Seraj Ali

The Allahabad High Court recently granted significant relief to Mohammad Seraj Ali, a journalist with the BBC, whose passport renewal was denied after being named in an FIR linked to his coverage of a mosque demolition in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh.

Justice Abdul Moin annulled two trial court orders—dated May 5, 2025, and August 21, 2023—that had denied Seraj a No Objection Certificate (NOC) required for passport issuance. The High Court found that the trial court had failed to properly consider critical government guidelines and office memorandums related to criminal cases and passport policy.

Background: Barabanki Mosque Demolition and Media Coverage

The case dates back to May 17, 2021, when the district administration of Barabanki declared a mosque at Ram Sanehi Ghat as illegal and proceeded to demolish it during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The following day, prominent media outlets—including BBC Hindi, The Guardian, ANI, and The Wire—covered the incident.

On June 22, 2021, The Wire published a video report titled “How a Mosque in UP’s Barabanki was Demolished”, co-authored by Mohammad Seraj Ali and Mukul Singh Chauhan. Two days later, an FIR was filed against several individuals, including Seraj, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Passport Denial and Legal Challenge

Seraj, who had left The Wire in September 2021 to join BBC India as a video journalist, later applied for passport renewal in September 2022, ahead of its April 2023 expiry. Aware of the ongoing criminal case, he disclosed it in his application.

The Regional Passport Office requested either an NOC or a judicial order from the Barabanki trial court. When his request was denied, Seraj moved the Allahabad High Court.

High Court Cites Government Guidelines and Precedent

Justice Abdul Moin highlighted that the trial court had overlooked significant Office Memorandums dated August 25, 1993, and October 10, 2019, which provided clarity on issuing passports in pending criminal matters.

The Court also cited the precedent set in Mohammad Ayaz @ Anas v. State of UP, where a similar denial was overturned for ignoring the same memorandums.

Key Directives Issued by the Court

• Fresh Passport Application: Seraj may submit a new application within 20 days.

• Timely Decision: The Passport Authority must resolve the application within one month of receipt, based on the certified court order.

• Travel Conditions: Any international travel must receive prior approval from the trial court, and Seraj must adhere to conditions laid out by the court.

Additionally, the Court directed that copies of its ruling be sent to the Deputy Solicitor General of India and the State’s Additional Government Advocate to inform the relevant authorities.

Conclusion

This case is a reminder of the delicate balance between press freedom, judicial process, and citizen rights in India. It also highlights the importance of judicial oversight in cases where bureaucratic decisions affect an individual’s constitutional liberties.