- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:7013 WP No. 18543/2025 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.18543/2025 (GM-PASS) BETWEEN: SRI MANSUKHLALKHICHA S/O LATE CHHOGALALJI AGED ABOUT 72 YEARS, R/A NO.2, 1ST CROSS, K.V. TEMPLE STREET, CHICKPET, BENGALURU- 560053 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SKANDA KUMAR, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. UNION OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS 74B SOUTH BLOCK, Digitally signed by VANAMALA N Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:7013 WP No. 18543/2025 NEW DELHI-100001 REP. BY ITS SECRETARY 2. REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, 8TH BLOCK, 80 FEET ROAD, KORAMANGALA, KHB GAMES VILLAGE, BENGALURU - 560 095 …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. RESHMA K T., CGC FOR R1 AND R2) THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASH THE SHOW CAUSE NOTICE ISSUED ON 29.11.2024 BY R-2 AT ANNX-C LETTER REF NO. SCN/320127545/24. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:7013 WP No. 18543/2025 ORAL ORDER The petitioner is aggrieved by the show cause notice dated 29.11.2024 [Annexure-C] issued by the second respondent. The second respondent, while considering the petitioner's application for renewal of passport, has issued this notice to the petitioner calling upon him to offer explanation in the light of certain proceedings pending against him. Ms Reshma K T, the learned Central Government Counsel for the first and second respondents, submits that this notice is issued because of the pending criminal proceedings and to examine the impermissibility of a full valid passport when criminal proceedings are pending. However, when queried, the Ms Reshma K T submits that if the petitioner files an application in the pending proceedings and he is permitted to travel abroad, he should surrender the passport and make an application for Short Validity Passport. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:7013 WP No. 18543/2025 In the light of the afore, after hearing Sri Skanda Kumar, the learned counsel for the petitioner, the petition stands disposed of calling upon the petitioner to surrender the passport with the second respondent but with liberty to file an application in the pending proceedings for Short Validity Passport. If the petitioner files these documents, the second respondent is called upon to consider the same and issue Short Validity Passport within a week from the date of receipt of the application along with a certified copy of this order. SD/- (B M SHYAM PRASAD) JUDGE AN/-