ORDER

This is a petition filed by the petitioner seeking a direction to the respondent to renew/reissue fresh passport to the petitioner as per his application dated 02.5.2024 for a normal period of ten years as per Rule

12(1) of the Passport Rules, 1980.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel accepting notice for the respondent.

3. The case of the petitioner is as follows:

The petitioner is an Indian citizen by birth. He is a senior citizen and is a B.Com graduate. He also served in Dubai for several years. He possessed an Indian passport and it had validity upto 13.10.2024. When the passport was about to expire, the petitioner made an application to the respondent on 02.5.2024 for its renewal. According to the petitioner, his application is under review at the Regional Passport Office for the past 23 months. Hence the writ petition.

4. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

5. It is not known as to whether any criminal case is pending against the petitioner. Even if it is so, the Hon’ble Firs