The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Mumbai police not to release passports of two British nationals, who were acquitted in a case of paedophilia recently.

The apex court issued notices to Britons -- Duncan Grant and Allan Waters -- on an appeal filed by an NGO challenging their acquittal by the Bombay high court.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan allowed the NGO Childline India Foundation to inform the British High Commission about the court order.

The court posted the matter for hearing after four weeks. The NGO, a project of Ministry of Social Welfare and Empowerment, has sought stay of the verdict acquitting the foreign nationals.

The high court had on July 23 acquitted Grant and Waters of the charges of having sodomised boys staying in children's shelters.

The shelter, called 'The Anchorage Shelter' was set up by Grant. The duo had been sentenced to six years rigorous imprisonment by a trial court.

In the Special Leave Petition, the NGO said both the accused were brought to India after a red corner notice was issued against them.

While Grant was traced to Tanzania and later he had moved to England [Images], Waters was arrested from the United States.

Both of them had made all attempts not to stand the trial in the case.