NOUSHIN KAMMADAN Vs. PASSPORT OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS writ petition is filed by the petitioner seeking for a direction to the 1st respondent to renew or re-issue the passport to the petitioner within a time stipulated by this Court.

(2.) THE petitioner is an Indian citizen permanently residing in Kozhikode and he is holding an Indian passport having No.E1653623 issued by the 1st respondent. The same was valid for a period from 02.05.2002 to 01.05.2012. He is involved in a criminal case alleging offence under Section 17 of the Kerala Money Lenders Act which is pending as C.C.No.871/2010 before the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Kunnamangalam and he has been granted bail also. It is stated that some of the witnesses have been examined and some more yet to be examined and the case is now posted to 04.12.2012. It is also stated that it may take a few months to complete the trial.

(3.) LEARNED Assistant Solicitor General of India submitted that when a criminal case is registered against a person, either he will have to produce the order of acquittal or he will have to get permission from the criminal court wherein the case is pending, to travel outside.