JUDGMENT :

(Hon’ble Manjive Shukla, J.)

1. Heard Sri Suhel Ahmad Azmi, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner and learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents.

2. Petitioner through this writ petition has challenged the communication dated 30.05.2023 issued by the Regional Passport Officer, Vipin Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow whereby he has been informed that decision has been taken to impound the passport No. M1266202 issued in his favour on 20.08.2014, under Section 10 (3) (e) of the Passports Act, 1967 on the ground of pending criminal case.

3. Facts of the case, in brief, are that pursuant to petitioner’s application, Passport No. M1266202 was issued to him on 20.08.2014. The said passport is valid up to 19.08.2024. The petitioner on the basis of the aforesaid passport was residing in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and was doing a private job. Petitioner’s wife Fatima Jahara has lodged an F.I.R. against the petitioner which has been registered as Case Crime No. 25 of 2023 under Sections 498-A, 323, 406, 504, 506 I.P.C., Section 3/4 Dowry Prohibition Act and Section 3/4 of Muslim Women (Protection of Rights of Marriage) Act, 2019 at Police Station Mahila Thana, Di