- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:10575 WP No. 1336 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 20TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD WRIT PETITION NO. 1336 OF 2026 (GM-PASS) BETWEEN: SRI. SRINIVASA N S/O NANJUNDAPPA, AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS, RESIDING AT KAIWARA VILLAGE, CHINTHAMANI TALUK, CHICKBALLAPURA DISTRICT- 563 125. …PETITIONER (BY SRI.LAKSHMIKANTH K., ADVOCATE) AND: UNION OF INDIA THROUGH ITS SECRETARY MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS SOUTH BLOCK NEW DELHI - 110001 HAVING ITS REGIONAL OFFICE AT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, BENGALURU 80 FEET ROAD, KORMANGALA 8TH BLOCK, BENGALURU - 560 095 …RESPONDENT Digitally signed by RAKESH S HARIHAR Location: High Court of Karnataka, Dharwad Bench - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:10575 WP No. 1336 of 2026 (BY Ms. SWAMINI GANESH MOHANAMBAL., ADVOCATE) THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER DIRECTION TO CONSIDER THE PETITIONER'S APPLICATION DATED 08.09.2024 FOR ISSUANCE OF HIS PASSPORT VIDE ANNEXURE-A AND CONSEQUENTLY ISSUE THE PASSPORT OF THE PETITIONER. 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 stands trial in Criminal Case No.2351/2024 on the file of the Additional Civil Judge and JMFC, Chikkaballapur for different offences punishable under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 [BNS]. The petitioner has filed an original suit in O.S.No.19/2015 against a third party. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:10575 WP No. 1336 of 2026 The petitioner seeks directions to the Regional Passport Officer, Bengaluru to consider his application and issue a passport. Sri Lakshmikanth. K., the learned counsel for the petitioner, submits that the dispute is of civil nature and therefore the petitioner cannot be denied a passport. Ms. Swamini Ganesh Mohanambal, the learned counsel for the respondent, rightly argues that the Passport Officer cannot decide on the nature of dispute and that if the petitioner has to travel abroad on a passport, he must, unless acquitted, file an application in the pending proceedings for a Short Validity Passport for permission to travel and if such permission is granted, the Passport Officer shall process the application for issuance of a Short Validity Passport. Ms. Swamini Ganesh Mohanambal also submits that if the petitioner is discharged or admitted to bail and makes a representation along with the copies of - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:10575 WP No. 1336 of 2026 the orders in that regard, the petitioner could also be issued with a Full Validity Passport. These submissions are taken on record, and the petition stands disposed of with liberty to the petitioner to approach the Passport Officer once there is permission or an order in his favour or otherwise. The petition stands disposed of accordingly. Sd/- (B M SHYAM PRASAD) JUDGE RS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 23