- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:33267 WP No. 17887 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 28TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD WRIT PETITION NO. 17887 OF 2025 (GM-PASS) BETWEEN: MR. SANTHOSH. O. G. S/O. O V GEORGE AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS, RESIDING AT 1-98, ODAMPADAT HOUSE, SHIBAJE VILLAGE AND POST, BELTHANGADY TALUK, DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT, KARNATAKA 574 198. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. JITHIN JEIJO.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE UNION OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS SOUTH BLOCK, SECRETARIAT BUILDING, RAISINA HILL NEW DELHI REPRESENTED HEREIN BY ITS SECRETARY. Digitally signed by VANAMALA N Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:33267 WP No. 17887 of 2025 2. REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE BANGALORE 80 FEET ROAD, 8TH BLOCK KORAMANGALA, BENGALURU 560 095 REP BY REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. RESHMA K T., CGSC) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO- DIRECTION MORE PARTICULARLY IN THE NATURE OF WRIT OF MANDAMUS DECLARING THAT NOT RENEWING THE PASSPORT OF THE PETITIONER AS ILLEGAL, ARBITRARY AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL THEREBY DIRECT THE RESPONDENTS TO RENEW THE PASSPORT OF THE PETITIONER CONSIDERING THE APPLICATION FILED BY THE PETITIONER VIDE APPLICATION NO. BN4077400501925 DATED 13.02.2025 AT ANNEXURE-A. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:33267 WP No. 17887 of 2025 ORAL ORDER The petitioner has applied with the second respondent for renewal of his passport, and is aggrieved because the renewal is refused on the ground that he stands trial in the proceedings in CC No.2212/2024 as one of the many accused. Sri Jithin Jeijo, the learned counsel for the petitioner cannot deny pendency of the proceedings but asserts that there is an interim order of stay granted by this Court in Criminal Petition No.4057/2025. Smt Reshma K T, the learned Central Government Counsel for the respondents, is heard. The learned counsel, on instructions, submits that in similar circumstances, this Court has enabled the concerned to file an application for short validity passport and the second respondent has also considered the same favourably. The learned counsel further emphasizes that the petition could be disposed of with liberty in this regard to the petitioner - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:33267 WP No. 17887 of 2025 with directions to the second respondent to consider the same expeditiously. In the light of the afore, the following: ORDER The petition stands disposed of with liberty the petitioner to file an application with the second respondent for short validity passport, and the second respondent is directed to consider the same within two [2] weeks from the date of receipt of such application. Sd/- (B M SHYAM PRASAD) JUDGE AN/-