APHC010131202026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3207] WEDNESDAY,THE EIGHTH DAY OF APRIL TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND WRIT PETITION NO: 9078/2026 Between: 1. BANTROTHU MURALI, S/O SRINIVASULU, AGED 25 YEARS, OCC SOFTWARE EMPLOYEE, R/O D.NO. 5-67/1, CHALLAVARIPALLE VILLAGE, NIMMANAPALLE MANDAL, CHITTOOR DISTRICT. ...PETITIONER AND 1. UNION OF INDIA, REP. BY ITS SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, SOUTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI. 110001 2. THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, 4TH FLOOR, STALIN CENTRAL, GOVERNORPET, M.G.ROAD, VIJAYAWADA, N.T.R.DISTRICT.520001 ...RESPONDENT(S): Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue a writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of WRIT OF MANDAMUS declaring the action of 2nd respondent in placing petitioners application No. VJ1065680431725, dated 16.08.2025 for issuance of new passport On hold status and not issuing passport in spite of his due application and compliance with all requisite parameters and requiring a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from this Hpnble Court, as illegal, irregular, arbitrary, and violative of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India and the provisions of the Passports 2 Act, 1967, and the rules framed thereunder and offends Articles 14, 19 and 21 of Constitution of India and consequently direct the 2nd Respondent to issue petitioners passport pursuant to his application dated 16.08.2025 for a period often years under Section 10 of the Passports Act, 1967, and Rule 12 of the Passports Rules, 1980, subject to any reasonable conditions deemed fit by this Honble Court and pass IA NO: 1 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased may be pleased to direct the 2nd Respondent to process petitioner’s passport application No.VJI065680431725, dated 16.08.2025 and issue the passport expeditiously. Pending disposal of the main Writ Petition and pass Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. KAREEMULLA SHAIK Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. The Court made the following: 3 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND WRIT PETITION No.9078 of 2026 ORDER: - It is brought to the notice of this Court by both the learned counsel that the subject matter of this writ petition is squarely covered by the common order passed in W.P.No.5769 of 2026 and batch, dated 07.04.2026, which is as follows: “9. Accordingly, these writ petitions are allowed with the following direction: The Passport Authorities to consider and pass appropriate orders on the applications submitted by the petitioners for issuance of passports or re-issuance of passports or renewal of passports, for a period of ten (10) years, under Section 10 of the Passports Act, 1967 and under Rule 12 of Passport Rules, 1980 and also the Gazette Notification issued by the Central Government vide GSR No.570(E), dated 25.08.1993, without reference to the criminal proceedings pending against the petitioners before the concerned Courts, subject to the following conditions: (i) The petitioners shall submit an undertaking, along with an affidavit affirming that he/she will not leave the country during the pendency of the criminal proceedings, pending against them without permission of the courts having jurisdiction and that he/she will co- operate with concerned trial court in concluding the proceedings. (ii) On filing such an undertaking as well as affidavit, the concerned trial court shall issue a certified copy of the same within two (02) weeks. 4 (iii) The petitioners shall submit the certified copy of the aforesaid undertaking before the respondent-Passport Officer for issuance of passport or re-issuance or renewal of his/her passport. (iv) The respondent-Passport Officer shall consider the said application in the light of the observations made by this Court herein as well as the contents of the undertaking given by the petitioners for issuance of passport or re-issuance or renewal of his/her passport in accordance with law, within two (02) weeks from the date of said application. (v) On renewal of the passport, the petitioners shall deposit the original renewed Passport before the concerned trial court. (vi) The petitioners shall file an application before the concerned trial Court seeking permission to travel abroad. (vii) The concerned trial Court shall consider the same, in accordance with law.” 2. Hence, following the said orders, this writ petition is allowed on the same terms. 3. There shall be no order as to costs. Miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed. _________________________ JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND Date : 08.04.2026 PGR 5 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND W.P.No.9078 of 2026 Date: 08.04.2026 PGR