MAYURDHVAJSINHJI GHANSHYAMSINHJI PARMAR Vs. REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By way of the present writ petition, the petitioner has prayed for direction to renew the passport of the petitioner for a period of 10 years.

(2.) Mr. Jash S. Thakkar, learned advocate appearing for the petitioner submits that the impugned communication raising objection and denying the renewal of the passport passed by the respondent is illegal, invalid, erroneous and is without jurisdiction and competence and the same is unjust, unfair, contrary to the provisions of law and the same is violative of Articles 14, 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution of India. It is submitted that the respondent authority ought not to have refused to renew and reissue the passport on the ground of pendency of criminal case against the petitioner. It is submitted that petitioner has already been issued the passport on 24/8/2015 and the same is valid up to 23/8/2025 and while renewing / reissuing the passport, the petitioner could not have been refused on the ground of FIRs registered against the petitioner. It is also submitted that petitioner herein has provided all the relevant documents and materials for the purpose of renewal / reissuance of passport. In wake of such submission, Mr. Thakkar, learned advocate appearing for the petitioner has requested to renew the passport of the petitioner for a period of at least 10 years.

(3.) Mr. Shushil R. Shukla, learned advocate appearing on behalf of Mr. Kshitij M. Amin, learned advocate for the respondent states at bar that recently, in a similar matter, by way of an order dtd. 18/2/2025, the Division Bench of this Court in Criminal Misc. Application No.2 of 2025 in Criminal Appeal No.1581 of 2008 had granted renewal of passport only for a period of 5 years. He further states that the authorities do not dispute the fact of the order of this Court in Special Civil Application No.4770 of 2025 dtd. 1/5/2025. It is further submitted that looking to the facts and nature of the present case, renewal permission only for a period of 5 years may be granted.