- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:29580 WP No. 21525 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 31ST DAY OF JULY, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD WRIT PETITION NO. 21525 OF 2025 (GM-PASS) BETWEEN: SRI MANSOOR ABDULLA K S S/O. SRI ABDULLA P., AGED ABOUT 34 YEARS, R/AT HAFSATH MANZIL, SUNNYNAGAR, NEAR JUMA MASJID, TALIPARAMBA, KANNUR - 670141, KERALA. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. ANGAD KAMATH, ADVOCATE FOR SRI. PRAVEEN P.K, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, KORAMANGALA, BENGALURU - 560034. 2. UNION OF INDIA, THROUGH ITS SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, SOUTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI - 110001. 3. THE ZONAL DIRECTOR, NARCOTICS CONTROL BUREAU, MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS, Digitally signed by VANAMALA N Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:29580 WP No. 21525 of 2025 BENGALURU ZONAL UNIT, BENGALURU - 560001. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. B.S.VENKATANARAYANA, CGC) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECT RESPONDENT NO.1 - THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, BENGALURU, TO RENEW THE PETITIONER'S PASSPORT FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR, NOTWITHSTANDING THE PENDENCY OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS IN SPL. C.C. NO. 271/2020, SUBJECT TO SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS THIS HON'BLE COURT MAY DEEM FIT. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD ORAL ORDER The petitioner, an Indian citizen working Abroad, has sought directions to the Regional Passport Officer, Ministry of External Affairs [the first respondent] to reissue his passport notwithstanding the pendency of the criminal proceedings in Spl.C.C.No.271/2020. Mr. Angad Kamath, the learned counsel for the petitioner, and - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:29580 WP No. 21525 of 2025 Mr. B. S. Venkatanarayana, the learned Central Government Counsel for the respondents, are heard for final disposal of the petition. 2. This Court must observe that it is undisputed that in terms of the Guidelines notified in No.G.S.R. 570(E) dated 25.08.1993, the petitioner will have to first approach the Sessions Court which is seized of the proceedings in Spl.C.C. No.271/2020 seeking permission for re-issuance and with orders in his favour by such Court, the petitioner must approach the respondents. 3. Mr. Angad Kamath submits that this Court must issue directions for early consideration of the application that the petitioner will file in Spl.C.C.No.271/2020 because the petitioner's Visa will expire within thirty days and he cannot travel back to his place of work as he will not be entitled for Visa unless he possesses a passport which is valid at - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:29580 WP No. 21525 of 2025 least for six months and the petitioner’s passport will expire on 14.10.2025. 4. These submissions are considered, and the petition stands disposed of with liberty to the petitioner to apply with the Sessions Court in Spl.C.C.No.271/2020 for directions to the respondents to reissue the passport calling upon the Sessions Court to dispose of the application before 30.08.2025 if the petitioner files such application within a week from today. Sd/- (B M SHYAM PRASAD) JUDGE RB