HC rejects PIL against passport fee hike for NRIs

NEW DELHI: Delhi high court on Wednesday dismissed a PIL challenging the central govt’s decision to increase passport fees for non-resident Indians (NRIs), observing that a 67% hike after a gap of 14 years is not “unreasonable or exorbitant”. Acting chief justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and justice Sanjay Sharma added that the decision to determine the fees falls within the policy domain of the govt and judicial intervention was not warranted.

Pravasi Legal Cell filed the petition, alleging discrimination against NRIs, who are required to pay around Rs 11,900 for passports, compared to Rs 2,500 for resident Indians.