(1.) Petitioner's passport was impounded by the Regional Passport Officer, Dehradun, vide order dtd. 29/7/2021 on the ground that an F.I.R. was lodged against him under Sec. 498-A, 323 I.P.C. and Sec. 3/4 of Dowry Prohibition Act, by Shrishti Karanwal and further that a criminal prosecution was also pending against the petitioner in the Court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Dehradun for the aforesaid offences.
(2.) According to the petitioner, since the criminal proceedings have been quashed by this Court in Criminal Misc. Application (C-482) No. 1818 of 2021, therefore, the passport be released.
(3.) Mr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, learned Standing Counsel appearing for respondents has pointed out that against the order of impounding, petitioner has filed an appeal, which is pending before Chief Passport Officer (respondent no. 4).