APHC010652282025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3207] WEDNESDAY,THE EIGHTH DAY OF APRIL TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND WRIT PETITION NO: 33687/2025 Between: 1. CHADALAVADA ARAVINDA BABU, S/O MOHAN RAO AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS OCC DOCTOR AND POLITICIAN MEMBER OF LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY NARSARAOPETA CONSTITUENCY R/O 12-1037 PRAKASH NAGAR NARSARAOPETA PALNADU DISTRICT ANDHRA PRADESH- 522601. ...PETITIONER AND 1. THE UNION OF INDIA, REP BY ITS SECRETARY THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS E BLOCK, CENTRAL SECRETARIAT, NEW DELHI, DELHI 110001 2. THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, OFFICE OF REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, 4TH FLOOR, STALIN CENTRAL, D. NO. 27-37-150, GOVERNOR PET, M.G. ROAD, VIJAYAWADA - 520002, ANDHRA PRADESH. rpo.vijayawada@mea.gov.in 3. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY HOME DEPARTMENT SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT 4. THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER, NARSARAOPETA I TOWN POLICE STATION PIDUGURALLA TOWN AND MANDAL PALNADU DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH 5. THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER, NARSARAOPETA II TOWN POLICE STATION PIDUGURALLA TOWN AND MANDAL PALNADU DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH ...RESPONDENT(S): 2 Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue Writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the 2nd respondent in not processing the petitioners passport application bearing File No. VJE075649929525 on the ground of a pending criminal case vide Crime No. 46/2024 before 4th respondent and crime No.62/2024 before 5th respondent as illegal, arbitrary, irrational, irregular, and in violation of the provisions of the Passports Act, 1967, and the Rules framed there under, as well as Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution of India, and contrary to the settled principles of natural justice Consequently, direct the 2nd respondent to process the petitioners passport application and issue the passport in accordance with law, within a time frame as may be fixed by this Hon’ble Court and to pass IA NO: 1 OF 2025 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to grant interim direction to direct the 2nd respondent to process the petitioner’s passport application and issue the passport in accordance with law, within a time frame as may be fixed by this Hon’ble Court forth with pending disposal of the Writ Petition and pass Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. PONNEKANTI MALLIKARJUNA RAO Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR HOME 2. A RAVINDRA BABU (CENTRAL GOVT COUNSEL) The Court made the following: 3 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND WRIT PETITION No.33687 of 2025 ORDER: - It is brought to the notice of this Court by both the learned counsel that the subject matter of this writ petition is squarely covered by the common order passed in W.P.No.5602 of 2026 and batch, dated 07.04.2026, which is as follows: “12. For the aforesaid reasons and in the light of the law laid down by the Apex Court and High Courts as referred above, these writ petitions are allowed directing the Passport Authorities to issue or re-issue or renew of the passports of the petitioners. 13. However, in the event of charge sheets being filed after investigation in criminal cases, the petitioners would be required to obtain necessary orders from the concerned Courts where the charge sheets are filed. These orders shall be in relation to the further period of validity of the said passports and conditions, if any that may be imposed by the concerned Court in relation to his/her travel abroad. 14. In the event, the petitioners do not take steps for obtaining such orders, it would be open to the Passport Authorities to revoke the passports of the petitioners after due notice to the petitioners.” 2. Hence, following the said orders, this writ petition is allowed on the same terms. 4 3. There shall be no order as to costs. Miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed. _________________________ JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND Date : 08.04.2026 PGR 5 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND W.P.No.33687 of 2025 Date: 08.04.2026 PGR