JITENDER BABU RAVULA Vs. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is aggrieved by the action of the 2nd respondent Passport Authority in renewing his Passport No. P0196976 for a period of one year, i.e., from 7/8/2025 to 6/8/2026, on the ground of pendency of criminal proceedings in C.C. No. 721 of 2022 on the file of the learned Principal Junior Civil Judge-cum-Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Malkajgiri (for short, "the trial Court").

(2.) Heard Smt. G. Sree Chandra, learned counsel for the petitioner, and Sri Arvind Kumar Kata, learned Standing Counsel for the Central Government, appearing for the respondents.

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that mere pendency of criminal proceedings cannot be a ground either to reject or refuse renewal of a passport, or to renew it for a shorter duration. Learned counsel relies on the orders passed by this Court in Writ Petition No. 17077 of 2025, dtd. 30/12/2025.