A special MP/MLA court in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has granted conditional permission to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to renew his passport, allowing him to address challenges in international travel. The ruling, delivered by Special Judge Shubham Verma on August 6, 2025, mandates that Kejriwal seek the court’s prior approval before undertaking any foreign trips. This decision marks a significant development in Kejriwal’s ongoing legal saga stemming from alleged violations of the model code of conduct during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in Amethi district’s Gauriganj and Musafirkhana areas.

Kejriwal’s counsel, advocate Madan Singh, confirmed that the plea for passport renewal was filed due to difficulties faced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader in traveling abroad, a necessity for political and personal engagements. The court’s conditional approval ensures judicial oversight while granting Kejriwal the flexibility to renew his expired passport. Kejriwal, who is currently out on bail, faces a case that remains in abeyance per Supreme Court directives, adding complexity to his legal and political journey.

The 2014 case relates to alleged inflammatory remarks made by Kejriwal during election campaigns in Amethi, where he challenged prominent candidates, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The accusations center on violations of the Election Commission’s model code of conduct, which governs ethical campaign behavior. Despite the case’s dormancy, it continues to cast a shadow over Kejriwal’s political activities, especially following his defeat in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ended AAP’s decade-long rule by securing 48 seats. Kejriwal lost his New Delhi constituency to BJP’s Parvesh Verma by 4,089 votes.

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This court ruling comes at a critical juncture for Kejriwal, who has been focusing on rebuilding AAP’s momentum in states like Punjab and Gujarat, where the party recently celebrated bypoll victories. The conditional passport renewal offers Kejriwal an opportunity to engage in international forums, potentially to garner support or explore alliances, though the requirement to notify the court ensures continued judicial scrutiny. As Kejriwal navigates these legal and political challenges, the decision underscores the delicate balance between judicial accountability and personal freedom for one of India’s prominent political figures.

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