WP/15935/2026 of Nukala Vidyasagar Reddy Vs Union of India on 6 May 2026

ORDER:

This petition is moved as a Lunch Motion citing urgency. When the matter is taken up, learned counsel lor the petitioner submits that the petitioner submitted an online appllcation to the respondent-Passport authority seeking renewal of his passport; and he mentioned about the pending criminal proceedings against him in C.C. No. 644 of 2024, C.C. No. 747 of 2024, and C.C. No. 299 of 2025, all the three cases on the hle of Judicial Magistrate of First Class, at Nidamanoor, while filling out the Online Application. Leamed counsel contends that the Appointment with the Passport Office is scheduled for 09h of May,2O26, and as there is a likelihood of refusal of renewal of passport in view of pending criminal proceedings, the petitioner was advised to obtain No Objection Certificate from the Court for obtaining the passport and wp_15915 2025 N8(, r therefore prays to issue No Objection Certificate to the petitioner to enable hirn to get his passport renewed.

2. Heard Ms. Nanduri Sri Tayaru Manasa Ramya, leamed counsel lor the petitioner, and Mr. N. Bhujanga Rao, leamed Deputy Solicitor General of India fbr the respondents. Perused the record.

3. Learned Standing Counsel, by referring to Office Memorandum dated I 0. I 0.20 l9 issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, submits that in view of the pending criminal proceedings, the petitioner is required to approach the concemed trial Court and obtain NOC, and fumish the NOC before the passport authority lor considering issuance/renewal of passport. At this juncture. learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner undertakes to obtain permission of the trial C]ourt if he intends to travel abroad. 4, Having considered the respective submissions, at the outset, it is settled law that mere pendency of criminal proceedings cannot be a ground to refuse issuance or renewal of passport. In this connection, it is relevant to refer to the orders passed by the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court in W.A.No. 194 of 2026, dated, 17.02.2026, wherein the Division Bench has observed as follows: "13. ln the light of the principle laid down by the Apex Court concerning the interpretation of GSR 570(E) dated 25.08.1993 and Office Memorandum dated 10.10.20{ 9, we are of the considered view that the appellant should make an application for seeking NOC from the concerned trial courts where criminal cases are pending against him. lt is upon issuance of NOC that the appellant should file an application for renewal of the passport. ln case the courts prescribe a period for which the par6port is to be issued, the passport authority should honour wp_ 15935_2026 NBl(, I that period. Otherwise, if it does not stipulate any period, the notification provides default rules, including issuance for a shorter period, ordinarily one year, in appropriate cases.

14. Since the passport of the appellant is going to expire on 24.02.2026, the appellant is at liberty to make an application for issuance of NOC from the concerned courts within this week. lf such an application is made before the learned courts, the learned courts would endeavour to take it up expeditiously, preferably within a week, and pass appropriate orders after hearing the parties. lt is for the appellant to seek renewal of passport based upon such NOC before the Regional Passport Authority. Needless to say, the Regional Passport Authority would consider the request of extension in accordance with law i.e., the Passports Act, 1967, cSR 570(E) dated 25.08.1993 and Office Memorandum dated 10.10.2019 applicable to the case on hand."

5. In the instant case, there are pending criminal proceedings against the petitioner, in C.C. No. 644 of 2024, C.C. No. 747 of 2024, and C.C. No. 299 of 2025, on the file of Judicial Magistrate of First Class, at Nidamanoor, and therefore this Court deems it appropriate to direct the petitioner to approach the Court of Judicial Magistrate of First Class, at Nidamanoor, and make an appropriate application seeking a "No Objection Certificate" for renewal of his passport. Upon filing such application, the trial Court shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders expeditiously, preferably within one week from the date of application. Upon fumishing the NOC by the petitioner, the passport authority shall consider the same for renewal of her passport in accordance with law.

wp_15935 2026 NBX,I

6. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of with the above directions. No costs. Miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending shall stand closed. SD/-P.C. SULEKHA DEVI ASSISTANT REGISTRAR //TRUE COPY// SECTION OFFICER

1. The Secretary, Union of lndia, this Ministry of External Affairs, Gruhakalpa Complex,M. J. Road, Nampally, Hyderabad -500001.

2. The Regional Passport Officer, 73, Red Cross Road, Monda Market, Shivaji Nagar, Secunderabad, Telangana 500003.

3. The Passport Seva Kendra, Add Door no.1-8-368 Io 372, Gowra Trinity, Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet, Hyderabad, Telangana - 500016. 4 One CC to SRI AVADESH NARAYAN SANGHI, Advocate [OPUC] 5 One CC to SRI N.BHUJANGA RAO, Deputy Solicitor General of lndia Advocate [OPUCI

6. Two CD Copies SA BS To M

C.C. TODAY HIGH COURT DATED: 0610512026

ORDER

WP.No.15935 of 2026 DISPOSING OF THE W.P WITHOUT COSTS. o ,, g ttI am cR 1 t t.' Ji lf. *iotft., =. $ J: .\ {' + ,1'; .',1,j!.i/ '.i:--- 1b T4