- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:27568 WP No. 20246 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 22ND DAY OF JULY, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S SUNIL DUTT YADAV WRIT PETITION NO. 20246 OF 2025 (GM-PASS) BETWEEN: SMT. VINITA SATISH WADHWA, AGED ABOUT 63 YEARS, W/O SATISH CHANDRA WADHWA, R/AT A2/1, NAVAL CHS, NEAR LIBERTY GARDEN MALAD, WEST MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA - 400 064. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SOFIYA, ADVOCATE) AND: UNION OF INDIA THROUGH ITS SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, SOUTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI - 110 001. THROUGH REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. ADITYA SINGH, CGSC) THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECTION TO THE RESPONDENT TO CONSIDER THE PETITIONERS APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL OF PASSPORT OF THE PETITIONER, WHICH IS Digitally signed by PRAKASH N Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:27568 WP No. 20246 of 2025 PENDING IN THE APPLICATION REFERENCE NO. (ARN) 25- 0056666049 (GRANTED ON PRE POLICE VERIFICATION BASIS AS-PASSPORT SP FILE NO. BO4075305503025) (AT ANNEXURE-A1) AND CONSEQUENTLY TO RENEW THE PASSPORT OF THE PETITIONER (BEARING NO. Z3348598 AT ANNEXURE-A) FOR LONG VALIDITY PASSPORT AND ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S SUNIL DUTT YADAV ORAL ORDER 1. The petitioner has sought for a direction to the respondent to consider the application of renewal of passport of the petitioner which is pending consideration. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that though a crime has been registered, no cognizance has been taken and accordingly it can be stated that there is no criminal case pending against the petitioner and in light of the same, the Regional Passport Officer ought not to have kept the passport of the petitioner pending. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:27568 WP No. 20246 of 2025 3. Learned CGSC Sri Aditya Singh appearing for the respondent submits that though on merits there may be prima facie merit in the contention noticed, however the Regional Passport Officer at Mumbai is required to be arrayed as a party and proceedings to be initiated by the Court having jurisdiction as regards such Officer. 4. It is submitted that the petitioner cannot be permitted to approach this Court though the criminal case is registered in the state of Karnataka. Taking note of the submission made by the learned counsel for the respondent while noticing that the direction is to be issued to the Regional Passport Officer at Mumbai, the petitioner is at liberty to take appropriate action in accordance with law before the appropriate High Court. Accordingly, the petition is disposed off. Sd/- (S SUNIL DUTT YADAV) JUDGE DHA List No.: 2 Sl No.: 6