ORDER:

This writ petition is filed seeking the following relief:

“ ... to issue a Writ Order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondent No.3 in issuing the letter bearing No.OBJ/320593651/25, dated 27.01.2025 thereby objecting to re-issue a passport to petitioner as illegal, arbitrary and consequently direct respondent No.3 to forthwith re-issue a passport to petitioner.”

2. Heard Sri T.Aditya, learned counsel for the petitioner and Smt.T.Suhasini, learned Standing Counsel for respondents.

3. With the consent of learned counsel for the parties, the writ petition is being disposed of at the stage of admission.

4. After hearing learned counsel appearing for the petitioner as well as the respondents, it appears that the issue was considered by 2 Co-ordinate Benches in W.P.Nos.8697 of 2023 and 22218 of 2024. Both the learned Single Judges referred the Hon’ble Supreme Court Judgment in Vangala Kasturi Rangacharyulu v. Central Bureau of Investigation, [2020 Crl.L.J.(SC) 572] and came to the finding that mere pendency of criminal case cannot be a ground to decline the renewal/reissue of passport provided that the petitioner is re