1[10A. Suspension of passports or travel documents in certain cases.--(1) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions contained in section 10, if the Central Government or any designated officer is satisfied that the passport or travel document is likely to be impounded or caused to be impounded or revoked under clause (c) of sub-section (3) of section 10 and it is necessary in the public interest so to do, it or he may,--

(a) by order, suspend, with immediate effect, any passport or travel document;

(b) pass such other appropriate order which may have the effect of rendering any passport or travel document invalid,

for a period not exceeding four weeks:

Provided that the Central Government or the designated officer may, if it or he considers appropriate, extend, by order and for reasons to be recorded in writing, the said period of four weeks till the proceedings relating to variation, impounding or revocation of passport or travel document under section 10 are concluded:

Provided further that every holder of the passport or travel document, in respect of whom an order under clause (a) or clause (b) of this sub-section had been passed, shall be given an opportunity of being heard within a period of not later than eight weeks reckoned from the date of passing of such order and thereupon the Central Government may, if necessary, by order in writing, modify or revoke the order passed under this sub-section.

(2) The designated officer shall immediately communicate the order passed under sub-section (1), to the concerned authority at an airport or any other point of embarkation or immigration, and to the passport authority.

(3) Every authority referred to in sub-section (2) shall, immediately on receipt of the order passed under sub-section (1), give effect to such order.]

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Footnote :

1. Ins by Act 17 of 2002, s. 2 (w.e.f. 23-10-2002).