JUDGMENT

The petitioner is aggrieved by placement of his name on the Exit Control List ( ECL ), on the Passport Control List ( PCL ) and on the Provisional National Identification List ( PNIL ).2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that according to respondent No.4 the name of the petitioner has been placed on the aforementioned lists on the recommendation of respondent No.5. He submitted that the petitioner has been implicated in two cases of sales tax fraud. However, in both of the cases by orders dated 08.08.2024 and 17.10.2024 the petitioner has been acquitted. He submitted that notwithstanding the fact that no appeal has been filed or that criminal charges are otherwise pending adjudication against the petitioner, it is settled law that merely on the basis of allegations of a criminal offence committed by a person, his name cannot be placed on the ECL. He submitted that the manner in which the petitioner s name has been placed on the aforementioned lists is tantamount to a co...