SAKKEER HUSSAIN Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is the holder of an Indian passport bearing No.N4127964 and is presently working in Saudi Arabia. The passport of the petitioner expired on 20/10/2025 and he applied for re-issuance of the passport evidenced by Ext.P3. By Ext.P5, the petitioner was informed that the passport cannot be renewed due to pendency of a criminal case against him. The petitioner submits that he is an accused in C.C No.470 of 2023 pending before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court - II, Kottarakara. The said court has issued a Non Bailable Warrant against the petitioner. Since the passport of the petitioner is not renewed, he is not in a position to come to India and to defend the case. He also states that the validity of his resident identity card will expire shortly. Accordingly, he has filed this writ petition for a direction to the 2nd respondent to process his application for re-issuance of passport for a period of five years without being hindered by the fact that a criminal case is pending against him.

(2.) A statement has been filed on behalf of respondents 1 to 3, paragraphs 3 and 4 of which read as follows:-

(3.) Heard Sri.Rahul Krishnan U.S, the learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri.S.Prasanth, the learned Senior Panel Counsel for the respondents.