BALMOORI VENKAT NARSING RAO Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present writ petition has been filed challenging the failure of the respondent No.2-Regional Passport Officer in re-issuing the petitioner's passport and for a direction on the respondent No.2 to re-issue the passport of the petitioner.

(2.) The respondent authorities are represented.

(3.) After hearing learned counsel appearing for the petitioner as well as the respondents, it appears that the issue was considered by 2 Co-ordinate Benches in W.P.Nos.8697 of 2023 and 22218 of 2024. Both the learned Single Judges referred to the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Vangala Kasturi Rangacharyulu v. Central Bureau of Investigation, 2020 Crl.L.J.(SC) 572 and came to the finding that mere pendency of criminal case cannot be a ground to decline the renewal of passport. The petitioner before the Court is also willing to cooperate with the pending proceedings. This Court also finds factual similarities between the present case and Vangala Kasturi Rangacharyulu (supra) where the Hon'ble Supreme Court held that the Passport Authority cannot refuse the renewal of passport on the ground of pendency of criminal proceedings and accordingly directed the Passport Authority to renew the passport of the petitioner without raising objection relating to pendency of criminal proceedings.