Delhi High Court allows 73-year-old convicted under NDPS Act to travel for Hajj

Srinagar, Mar 21:  The Delhi High Court has allowed a 73-year-old man, Syed Abu Aala,  who had been convicted  under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) to travel to Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia for performing Hajj.

“In the present case, it is important to highlight that the applicant is around 73 years old and has expressed a strong desire to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage, a sacred obligation in the Muslim faith,” a bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said in his judgment.

The judgment came in response to an application filed by Syed seeking permission for his Hajj and necessary directions to the Regional Passport Officer, New Delhi for issuance of passport in his favour.

“Understanding the significance of the Hajj pilgrimage, this Court finds it imperative to facilitate and enable him to fulfill this religious duty. The Hajj pilgrimage holds immense significance in the Islamic faith, representing one of the five pillars of Islam, and is a religious duty for every Muslim. Its importance cannot be overstated, both spiritually and culturally, for Muslims,” the bench observed.