- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:7009 WP No. 2344 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 6TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD WRIT PETITION NO. 2344 OF 2026 (GM-PASS) BETWEEN: DR.SIDDHARTH SHANKAR SON OF SRI COL. V UDAYA SHANKAR AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS DENTAL SURGEON RESIDING AT NO. 51, ST. JOHNS ROAD, SHIVAJINAGAR, BENGALURU-560 042. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. DHEERAJ S J., ADVOCATE FOR SRI. PAWAN SHYAM A.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. UNION OF INDIA REPRESENTED BY ITS GENERAL SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, KARNATAKA BHAVAN 3, RAISINA HILL, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA - 110002 Digitally signed by VANAMALA N Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:7009 WP No. 2344 of 2026 NEW DELHI. 2. REGIONAL PASSPORT AUTHORITY, 80 FEET ROAD, 8TH BLOCK, KORAMANGALA, BANGALORE 560 095, REPRESENTED BY ITS REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. RESHMA KT., CGC FOR R1 AND R2) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO-DIRECT THE RESPONDENT NO. 2 (REGIONAL PASSPORT AUTHORITY) TO IMMEDIATELY WITHDRAW THE OBJECTION BEARING REFERENCE NO. OB1/1049574275/25 RAISED IN ITS LETTER DATED 14-07-2025 VIDE ANNEXURE-D AND PROCEED FORTHWITH TO CONSIDER. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:7009 WP No. 2344 of 2026 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD ORAL ORDER The petitioner seeks directions to the second respondent [the Regional Passport Authority] to withdraw objections and issue passport. The second respondent has refused to issue passport because of the pending criminal proceedings. Mr.Pawan Shyam A., the learned counsel for the petitioner, does not dispute that there is a pending criminal proceedings in CC No.52697/2020. However, the learned counsel contends that this Court has stayed all further proceedings in Criminal Petition No.2851/2023 and therefore, there is no justification for the second respondent to refuse to issue passport to the petitioner. The learned counsel proposes to rely upon certain decisions of the Courts to contend that the second respondent cannot refuse to issue passport and that this Court must intervene. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:7009 WP No. 2344 of 2026 However, this Court is of the considered view that whether the petitioner should travel abroad or not is a question that must be decided by the Court which is seized of the challenge against the allegations against him and then permit the petitioner to travel. If the petitioner is so permitted, there would be no justification for the second respondent to refuse the permission to travel abroad or renew the passport. When queried in this regard, Mrs. Reshma K. T., the learned Central Government Counsel for the second respondent, submits that if indeed the petitioner files a copy of the order permitting him to travel, the second respondent will issue Short Validity Passport within a week from the date from which such copy is furnished. In the light of the afore, the petition is disposed of reserving liberty to the petitioner to file an application in Criminal Petition No.2851/2023 for permission to travel abroad and directing the second - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:7009 WP No. 2344 of 2026 respondent to issue Short Validity Passport within a week from the date on which the petitioner files a copy of the order that may permit him to travel. Sd/- (B M SHYAM PRASAD) JUDGE SA ct:sr