IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NAGESH BHEEMAPAKA WRIT PETITION No.3953 of 2026

23.02.2026 Between:

Manda Srikanth …Petitioner AND The Union of India, Rep.by its Principal Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, South block, New Delhi and 2 others …Respondents

ORDER:

The Writ Petition is filed challenging the action of Respondent No.2 in not renewing/reissuing the petitioner’s passport vide File No.HY2075760547325, dated 13.10.2025, on the ground of pendency of criminal case.

2. Heard Sri Mohd. Islamuddin Ansary, learned counsel for petitioner, Smt N.V.R.Rajya Lakshmi, learned Standing Counsel for Central Government representing Sri N.Bhujanga Rao, learned Deputy Solicitor General of India, for respondent Nos.1 & 2 and Sri M.P.K.Aditya, learned counsel appearing for respondent No.3.

Perused the record.

3. Learned counsel for petitioner submits that mere arraignment of the petitioner in a criminal case cannot be a ground for denial of passport. He relies on the judgment of this Court in W.P.No.3211 of 2026, dated 04.02.2026.

4. Learned Standing Counsel for Central Government, for the respondents submits that criminal case is pending ag