##PAGE1##

2026:APHC:28651

APHC010464142025

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

AT AMARAVATI [3327]

(Special Original Jurisdiction)

WEDNESDAY, THE FOURTH DAY OF FEBRUARY

TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX

PRESENT

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE K SREENIVASA REDDY

WRIT PETITION NO: 24346/2025

Between:

1. CH KRANTHI KUMAR, S/O. (LATE) SUBBARAO, AGE

40 YEARS, D.NO.54-18-27, PLOT NO. 35, LIC

COLONY, 2ND LINE, VIJAYAWADA, NTR DISTRICT

...PETITIONER

AND

1. THE UNION OF INDIA, REP BY ITS PRINCIPAL

SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS,

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, E BLOCK, CENTRAL

SECRETARY, NEW DELHI

2. THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, MINISTRY OF

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, REP

BY ITS PASSPORT OFFICER, RPO, VIJAYAWADA,

NTR DISTRICT

3. THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE

VISAKHAPATNAM, MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL

AFFAIRS, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, REP BY ITS

PASSPORT OFFICER, RPO, VISAKHAPATNAM. R3 IS

IMPLEADED AS PER THE COURT'S ORDER

DT.08.12.2025 IN I.A.NO.03 OF 2025

...RESPONDENT(S):

Counsel for the Petitioner:

1. THOTA RAMAKOTESWARA RAO

Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. PELLETI RAJESH KUMAR (CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

COUNSEL)

SRK, J

W.P.No.24346 of 2025

2 2026:APHC:28651

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE K SREENIVASA REDDY

WRIT PETITION NO: 24346 of 2025

O R D E R:

This Writ Petition is filed seeking the following relief:

to issue writ order or direction more particularly one in

“…

the nature of Writ of Mandamus by declaring the action of

the Respondent No.2 issuing impugned proceedings

dated 03-09-2024 only for one year against consideration

of passport application for renewal of passport for a

period of 10 years as arbitrary, illegal, unfair, unlawful

and against Article 21 of the Constitution and pass

…”

2. Contents of the affidavit filed by the writ petitioner, in

brief, are that the writ petitioner obtained Passport, which was

valid from 17.10.2023 to 16.10.2024. As the writ petitioner’s

passport was going to expire on 16.10.2024, he made an

application on 18.03.2024 for renewal/reissue of the passport

before 2^nd respondent authority along with all requisite

documents. Thereafter, it is informed that the application of the

petitioner for renewal of passport could not be processed due

to pendency of criminal case against him in C.C.No.288 of

2021 on the file of the learned II Additional Chief Metropolitan

Magistrate Court, Vijayawada, for the offences punishable

under Sections 498A, 403 and 406 IPC and Sections 3 and 4

of the Dowry Prohibition Act. The said criminal case does not

SRK, J

W.P.No.24346 of 2025

3 2026:APHC:28651

involve any allegation of violence, fraud, moral turpitude,

national security, public order, or international ramifications. It

is contended that mere pendency of a criminal case cannot be

treated as an automatic disqualification for renewal or

reissuance of a passport. Hence, the Writ Petition.

3. During arguments, learned counsel for the Writ

Petitioner reiterated the contentions raised in the writ affidavit.

4. Learned Standing Counsel for the Central Government

appearing for respondent Nos.1 to 3 would contend that the

Writ Petitioner suppressed the fact of pendency of criminal

case against him vide C.C.No.288 of 2021 on the file of the

learned II Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court,

Vijayawada, for the offences punishable under Sections 498A,

403 and 406 IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry

Prohibition Act.

5. Perused the entire material available on record.

6. A perusal of entire material on record goes to show that

writ petitioner, who is aged about 40 years, is arrayed as

accused in C.C.No.288 of 2021 on the file of the learned II

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Vijayawada,

SRK, J

W.P.No.24346 of 2025

4 2026:APHC:28651

for the offences punishable under Sections 498A, 403 and 406

IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act.

7. It is the contention of learned counsel for writ petitioner

that because of pendency of criminal case in C.C.No.288 of

2021 on the file of the learned II Additional Chief Metropolitan

Magistrate Court, Vijayawada, the application made by th