- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010568912026 NC: 2026:KHC:43748 WP No. 25646 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 17TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 25646 OF 2026 (GM-PASS) BETWEEN: 1. HARISH POONJA S/O MUTTANNA POONJA, AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS, RESIDING AT MITHILA NILAYA, GARDADY POST AND VILLAGE, BELTHANGADY TALUK, DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT - 574 217. … PETITIONER (BY SRI. PRASANNA DESHPANDE., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. UNION OF INDIA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, SOUTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI - 110 001. 2. THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, 8TH BLOCK, 80 FEET ROAD, KORAMANGALA, BENGALURU - 560 095. 3. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT, MANGALURU - 575 001. … RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. MAHESH ARKALGUD SRIKANTH, ASG FOR R1 AND R2; SRI MOHAMMED JAFAR SHAH, AGA FOR R3) Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010568912026 NC: 2026:KHC:43748 WP No. 25646 of 2026 THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO SETTING ASIDE THE SHOW CAUSE NOTICE DATED 06.10.2025 BEARING REF. NO. SCN/1050603782/25 ISSUED BY THE R2 PRODUCED HEREWITH AS ANNEXURE-A AND ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ ORAL ORDER 1. The petitioner is before this Court seeking for the following reliefs: a) Issue a writ of Certiorari or any other writ or order setting aside the Show Cause Notice dated 06.10.2025 bearing Reference No.SCN/1050603782/25 issued by the second respondent produced herewith as Annexure-A. b) Issue a writ of Mandamus directing the Respondents to consider the reply given by the petitioner dated nil and pass appropriate order after referring to the explanation offered by the petitioner which document is produced as Annexure-D; c) Pass such other order(s) as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit in the interest of justice and equity." 2. The petitioner having applied for passport, the same had been granted. Subsequently, respondent No. 2 realising that there was suppression of material facts inasmuch as details of pending criminal proceedings - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010568912026 NC: 2026:KHC:43748 WP No. 25646 of 2026 had not been brought to the notice or disclosed in the application filed for issuance of passport. A show cause notice had been issued on 06.10.2025 which has been replied by the petitioner on 02.02.2026 at Annexure-D (though date not mentioned). 3. In the above circumstances, the question of grant of the first relief of certiorari to quash the show cause notice cannot be granted. 4. The reply to the show cause notice has been issued. The respondents are directed to consider the said reply strictly in accordance with law and pass necessary orders within a period of 2 weeks from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order. 5. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any opinion on the contents of the reply. It is for respondent No. 2 to consider the same strictly in accordance with law and take such action as is permissible under law. - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010568912026 NC: 2026:KHC:43748 WP No. 25646 of 2026 6. With the above observations, the writ petition is disposed of. Sd/- (SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE VP