DEEPAK JAIN Vs. UNION OF INDIA AND ANR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has filed the present petition, inter alia, praying that directions be issued to the respondents for re-issue his passport with a validity period of 10 years from the date of issue instead of one year as provided by the respondents.

(2.) The petitioner was issued a passport, which expired on 19.07.2017. Prior to the said date, an FIR (FIR no.107/2012) under Section 420/468 IPC, was filed against the petitioner. In view of the pendency of the aforesaid proceedings, the petitioner made an application dated 06.08.2018 to the Trial Court seeking its no objection (NOC) for reissuance of passport. By an order dated 20.08.2010, the Trial Court allowed the petitioner's application, interalia, recording that the Court had no objection if passport of the applicant is re-issued by the passport authority "as per rules." The petitioner, thereafter, applied for reissuance of a passport. Although, a passport was issued but the validity of the said passport was limited only to one year; that is, from 13.09.2018 to 109.2019.

(3.) The petitioner is aggrieved to the extent that the said passport has not been renewed for a period of 10 years as provided under the Passport Rules, 1980.