THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE N.V. SHRAVAN KUMAR

ORDER

This writ petition is filed seeking a direction to respondent No.2 to issue Passport to the petitioner by reconsidering the application vide file No.HY2077410568725 dated 17.02.2025 and submission of clarifications to the letter Ref.No.SCN/320796179/25, dated 22.02.2025 of respondent No.2 for issuance of Passport dated 16.03.2025 in view of family trip to abroad as per the Gazette Notification vide GSR 570 (E), dated 25.08.1993.

2. Heard Sri T.L. Krishna Prasad, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Smt.NVR. Rajya Lakshmi, learned counsel representing Sri Gadi Praveen Kumar, learned Deputy Solicitor General appearing for respondents.

3. 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 to the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Vangala Kasturi Rangacharyulu v. Central Bureau of Investigation and came to the finding that mere pendency of criminal case cannot be a ground to decline the renewal of passport. The petitioner before the Court is