ORDER :

1. Heard Mr. Ponnam Mahesh Babu, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mrs. Anjali Agarwal, learned Standing Counsel appearing for respondent No. 2.

2. This writ petition is filed to declare the inaction of respondent No. 2 in renewing the passport after submission of application as per the provisions of Act vide application in File No. HY-1074507943922 dated 19.08.2022 as illegal, and for a consequential direction to respondent No. 2 to renew and release the passport.

3. The petitioner herein is the holder of passport bearing No. F3307870. It was expired on 18.04.2015 itself. However, he had filed an application bearing No. HY-1074507943922 on 19.08.2022 with respondent No. 2 to renew his passport. Having received and acknowledged the said application, respondent No. 2 did not act upon the same. Therefore, the present writ petition.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner herein is an accused in several crimes, and on the ground of involvement of the petitioner in the crimes, respondent No. 2 cannot deny passport to the petitioner and it can