(1.) Heard Mr. Ch. Koteshwar Rao, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mrs.NVR. Rajyalaxmi, learned counsel representing Dy. Solicitor General of India, appearing on behalf of respondent Nos.1 and 2.
(2.) The case of the petitioner in brief is that, the petitioner herein had applied for passport in the year 2011 and the same was issued by the Competent authority vide passport No.J28242284 which was valid up to 6/1/2021. On 19/8/2023 the petitioner applied for renewal of passport vide online application bearing No.HY7075696695723 dtd. 19/8/2023 of said passport bearing No.J284224 to the 2nd respondent - Regional Passport Officer, Secunderabad, along with all the requisite documents and fees prescribed, with a request to renew the passport. It is the specific grievance of the petitioner that, instead of renewing the petitioner's passport, the 2nd respondent had issued letter vide reference No.OBJ/316962719/24 dtd. 3/2/2024 calling upon the petitioner to furnish certain clarifications for renewal of passport facilities pertaining to petitioner's involvement in crime No.58 of 2023 registered under sec. 294-b, 506 of IPC of PS Medipalli vide C.C.No.214 of 2023, in response to the petitioner's application for renewal of passport vide application bearing No. HY7075696695723 dtd. 19/8/2023. Aggrieved by the Notice dtd. 3/2/2024 the petitioner approached the Court by way of filing the present Writ petition. Hence, the Petition.
(3.) It is contended by the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner that, on the ground that petitioner herein is an accused in criminal case vide C.C.No.214 of 2023 pending on the file of Judicial Magistrate of First Class at Korutla, the renewal of petitioner's passport cannot be denied to the petitioner and the said action of the respondents is contrary to the procedure laid down under the Passports Act, 1967 and, therefore, the petitioner sought to issue necessary directions to the respondents for consideration of the petitioner's application for renewal of passport.