Mere pendency of criminal proceedings does not automatically preclude passport renewal, but an applicant must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the trial court where the criminal case is pending.

ORDER:

The petitioner made an application to the respondent-Passport authority seeking renewal of the passport; however, the passport authority refused to renew the same on the ground that the police verification revealed adverse report stating that criminal proceedings are pending against the petitioner in Cr.No.598 of 2023 of Nacharam Police station for the offence under Sections 171-B read with Section 171-E , 188 IPC.

2. Heard Mr.Mohd.Mumtaz Pasha, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri N.Bhujanga Rao, learned Deputy Solicitor General of India, for respondent Nos.1 and 2. Perused the record.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that mere arraignment of the petitioner in a criminal case cannot be a ground for denial of passport. Therefore, he seeks renewal of the passport of the petitioner without reference to the pendency of criminal case.

4. Learned Standing Counsel for Central Government relies on the judgment of the Division Bench of this Court in W.A.No.194 of 2026 , dated 17.02.2026. Further, by referring to Office Memorandum dated 10.10.2019 issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, submits that in view of the pending criminal proceedings against the petitioner, the petitioner is required to approach the concerned trial Court for necessary ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC)/permission to obtain passport, and thereafter, furnish the same before the passport authority for considering renewal of passport. In the instant case, the petitioner has not furnished NOC/permission from the trial Court and therefore, there is no illegality in refusing to renew the passport.

5. Having considered the respective submissions, at the outset, it is settled law that mere pendency of criminal proceedings cannot be a ground to refuse renewal of passport. In this connection, it is relevant to refer to the orders passed by the Division Bench of this Court in W.A.No.194 of 2026 , dated 17.02.2026, wherein the Division Bench has observed as follows:

“13. In the light of the principle laid down by the Apex Court concerning the interpretation of GSR 570(E) dated 25.08.1993 and Office Memorandum dated 10.10.2019, we are of the considered view that the appellant should make an application for seeking NOC from the concerned trial courts where criminal cases are pending against him. It is upon issuance of NOC that the appellant should file an application for renewal of the passport. In case the courts prescribe a period for which the passport is to be issued, the passport authority should honour that period. Otherwise, if it does not stipulate any period, the notification provides default rules, including issuance for a shorter period, ordinarily one year, in appropriate cases.”

14. Since the passport of the appellant is going to expire on 28.02.2026, the appellant is at liberty to make an application for issuance of NOC from the concerned courts within this week. If such an application is made before the learned courts, the learned courts would endeavour to take it up expeditiously, preferably within a week, and pass appropriate orders after hearing the parties. It is for the appellant to seek renewal of passport based upon such NOC before the Regional Passport Authority. Needless to say, the Regional Passport Authority would consider the request of extension in accordance with law i.e., the Passports Act, 1967, GSR 570(E) dated 25.08.1993 and Office Memorandum dated 10.10.2019 applicable to the case on hand.”

6. In the instant case, there is no material placed on record to show that the petitioner filed an application before the concerned trial Court seeking a “No Objection Certificate” for obtaining of passport. In view of the pending criminal proceedings against the petitioner Cr.N