RAMESH KOLLU Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) As the issue involved in all these writ petitions is an identical, they are taken up together and are being disposed of, by this common order at the stage of admission, with consent of both sides.

(2.) These Writ Petitions have been filed by the petitioners seeking to declare the action of the respondents i.e., Passport Authorities in rejecting or keeping pending their applications for issuance of passports or re-issuance of passports or renewal of passports on the ground of pendency of criminal proceedings against them, as arbitrary, illegal, and violative of Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

(3.) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and learned Standing Counsel for the Central Government and learned Government Pleader for Department of Home, and perused the material available on record.