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.