- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:27451 WP No. 21258 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. 21258 OF 2025 (GM-PASS) BETWEEN: VIDYADHAR DURGEKAR, S/O LATE SRI. M.P. DURGEKAR. AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS RESIDING AT B5-1103, RAMKY ONE NORTH. DODDABALLAPUR ROAD, AVALAHALLI, BANGALORE - 560 064. …PETITIONER (BY SMT. DR. SUJATHA DURGEKAR, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. UNION OF INDIA THROUGH ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, SOUTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI - 110 001. 2. THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE BY ITS REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, BENGALURU, 80 FEET ROAD, KORAMANGALA, 8TH BLOCK, BENGALURU - 560 095. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. HARSHA P. BANAD, ADVOCATE) THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO KINDLY ISSUE A Digitally signed by PRAKASH N Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:27451 WP No. 21258 of 2025 WRIT OF MANDAMUS TO THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER TO STAY THE IMPOUNDING OF THE PASSPORT (ANNXX-D) AND ALLOW THE PETITIONER TO TRAVEL ABROAD FOR A PERIOD OF ONE WEEK IN AUGUST 2025. 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 issuance of writ of mandamus to the Regional Passport Officer to stay the impounding of the passport and allow the petitioner to travel abroad. 2. It is noticed that show cause was issued to the petitioner at Annexure-D wherein the petitioner was called upon to show cause as to why action ought not to be taken to impound the passport. The premise on which such show cause notice came to be issued was that Crime No.299/2024 was pending against the petitioner which was not revealed. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:27451 WP No. 21258 of 2025 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the proceedings in Crime No.299/2024 have been stayed in proceedings in W.P.No.35958/2024. It is accordingly submitted that the lapse in declaring pendency of the criminal case ought not to be taken seriously as there was an order of stay. 4. Learned DSGI, Sri Shanthi Bhushan.H appearing on behalf of learned counsel Sri Harsha P.Banad appearing for the respondents submits that taking note of the interim order passed in W.P.No.35958/2024 and noticing that the passport had been issued which is valid, a short validity passport may be directed to be issued. In light of such stand and taking note of the submission made on behalf of the respondents, respondent is directed to issue a short validity passport for a period of one year. 5. Needless to state the petitioner to participate in the proceedings at Annexure-D and place his case before the respondent appropriately. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:27451 WP No. 21258 of 2025 6. Accordingly, the petitioner is disposed off. All contentions are kept open. 7. Needless to state the petitioner is to file a memo of intimation in the pending proceedings before this Court in W.P.No.35958/2024 regarding their travel abroad as well as copy of the order passed by this Court. Sd/- (S SUNIL DUTT YADAV) JUDGE DHA List No.: 2 Sl No.: 3 CT: BHK