WP/550/2026 of Pagidi Krishna Reddy Vs Union of India on 22 January 2026

1. Union of lndia, Rep. by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shastry Bhavan, Dr.Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi - 'l 10001 .

2. The Regional Passport Officer, Passport Office D.No.B-2-215 to 219, Kummarguda, Secunderabad - 500003.

3. Paladugu Bhagya Rekha, W/o Devasahayam, Aged about 45 years, Occ- Housewife, Rl/o H.No.3-48lC/1 , SBH Colony, Wenchar-3, L.B.Nagar, Hyderabad. .,.RESPONDENTS Petition under Article 226 of Ihe Constitution of lndia praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue a writ order or direction more particularly one in the nature of writ of mandamus declaring the action of the respondent no.2 in not considering the renewal of petitioners passport bearing no. M3786223 vide file no. HY2078075103914 d1.1711212O24 bearing ARN- 24-1014653077 is illegal, arbitrary, violative of the principles of natural justice against the settled principles of law and also violative of Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of lndia and consequently direct the Respondent No.2 to consider the application file no. HY2078075 1 039 1 4 dl.1 7 I 1 2 12024 -b-sarinEaARN- 24-'1 0 1 4653077 and ren petitioners passport bearing no. M3786223 for a further period of 10 years.

lA NO: 1 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to direct the Respondent No.2 to consider the application file no. HY2078075103914 dt.1711212024 bearing ARN- 24-1014653077 and renew the petitioners passport bearing no. M3786223 for a further period of 10 years pending disposal. of the above writ petition. Counsel for the Petitioner: SRI S. RAM REDDY Counsel forthe Respondents Nos.1 & 2: SRI B.JITHENDER, SC FOR CENTRAL GOVT Counsel for the Respondent No.3: - - - The Court made the following: ORDER

IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NAGESH BHEEMAPAKA WRIT PETITION No.55O of 2026 Between: Pagidi Krishna Reddy .,, Petitioner AND Union of India, Rep. by its Ministry oi Foreign Affairs, Shastry Bhavan, Dr.Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi and 2 others ...Respondents The Writ Petition is liled challenging the action of Respondent No.2 in not renewing the pctitioner's passport uide File No.HY207BO75lO3914, dated 17.12.2024, on the ground of pendency of criminal case.

2. Heard Sri S.Ram Reddy. learned counsel for petitioner and Sri B.Jithender, learned Standing Counsel for Central Government, for respondent Nos.l and 2. Perused the record.

22. OL-.2929 ORDEB:

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3. Learned counsel for petitioner submits that mere arraignment of the petitioner in a criminal case cannot be a ground for denial of passport. He relies on the judgment of this Court in W.P.No.2469O of 2025, dated 03.09.2025.

4. Learned Standing Counsel lor the respondents submits that crimrnal case is pending against the petitioner uide C.C.No.1520 of 2024 before the learned XIV Additional Metropolitan Magistrate, Cyberabad, Kukatpa1l1,. It is submitted that the respondent authorities would consider the petitioner's application for a period of one year only. if he obtains permission to travel abroad from the court ',vhere the criminal case is pending against him.

5. Be that as it may, considering the judgment of the coordinate Bench of this Court in W.P.No.24690 of 2025, dated 03.O9.2025, \ and the purpose for nhich the passport is being requested by the petitioner, this Court directs the respondent No.2 to renew the passport to the petitioner on the following conditions:

i) The petitioner herein shall submit an undertaking along with an affidavit in C.C.No.152O of 2024, pending on the file of the learned XIV Additional Metropolitan Magistrate, Cyberabad, Kukatpally., stating that he shall not leave India during pendency of the said crime., without permission of the Court and that he shall cooperate with trial Court in concluding the proceedings in the said crimel

ii) On filing such an undertaking as well as affidavit, the trial Court shall issue a certified copy of the same within two (2) qgeks therefrom; I

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iii) The petitioner herein shall submit an application afresh along with certified copy of this order as well as the aforesaid undertaking before the Passport Oflicer / Authority concerned for renewing the passport;

iv) On filing such an application, the Passport Officer/ Authority shall consider the same afresh in the light of the observations made by this Court herein as well as the contents of the undertaking given by the petitioner for renewing the passport, in accordance with law, within three (O3| weeks from the date of said application;

v) Respondent No,2 shall consider the Passport Rules, 1967 while considering the application for renewing of the passport to the petitioner;

vi) The competent authority shall specify the permission period of one year for the petitioner to renew the passport for travelling abroad, and also obtain appropriate undertaking from the petitioner stating that the petitioner shall not overstay the permitted period and shall surrender the passport upon return to India.

vii) Any other condition as deemed appropriate by the trial Court.

6. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shail be no order as to costs Miscellaleous petitions, il any, pending in this Writ Petition, SD/.P. PONNA KRISHNA ASSISTANT REGISTRAR //TRUE COPY' \_:/ SECTION OFFICER To,

The Ministrv af Foreign Affairs, Union of lndia, Shastry Bhavan' Dr'Rajendra Prasad Roid, New Delhi - 110001 The Reoionat Passport Officer, Passport Office D'No B-2-215 to 219' Kumma-rguda, Secunderabad - 500003' One CC to SRI S.RAM REDDY, Advocate [OPUC] One CC to SRI B. JITHENDER, SC FOR CENTRAL GOVT [OPUC] Two CD CoPies

PMK BS shall stand ciosed. I

HIGH COURT DATED:2210112026

ORDER

() ? I JA|j 2[26 * tI ! ; TIIE S rA \ ( WP.No.550 of 2026 DISPOSING OF THE WRIT PETITION WITHOUT COSTS x I K