- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010464782026 NC: 2026:KHC:47280 WP No. 20993 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 31ST DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 20993 OF 2026 (GM-PASS) BETWEEN: SRI. HEMANTH KUMAR S/O SURESH KUMAR, AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO.542, 7TH A CROSS, 6TH MAIN ROAD, RAJAGOPALANAGARA, NEAR CHURCH, PEENYA 2ND STAGE, BANGALORE NORTH TALUK, BANGALORE - 560 058. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. MANJUNATHA N.M., ADVOCATE) AND: UNION OF INDIA THROUGH ITS SECRETARY MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS SOUTH BLOCK NEW DELHI - 110 001. HAVING ITS REGIONAL OFFICE AT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE BENGALURU, 80 FEET ROAD KORAMANGALA, 8TH BLOCK, BENGALURU - 560 095. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. MAHESH ARKALGUD SRIKANTH, ADVOCATE) Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010464782026 NC: 2026:KHC:47280 WP No. 20993 of 2026 THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECTION TO CONSIDER THE PETITIONERS APPLICATION DATED 23.04.2025 FOR ISSUANCE OF HIS PASSPORT VIDE ANNEXURE A AND CONSEQUENTLY ISSUE THE PASSPORT OF THE PETITIONER. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ ORAL ORDER 1. Sri Mahesh Arkalkud Srikanth, learned counsel who has filed vakalathnama before issuance of notice, accepts notice for the respondent. 2. Petitioner is before this court seeking for the following reliefs: a. To issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other direction to consider the petitioner's application dated 23.04.2025 for issuance of his passport vide Annexure-A and consequently issue the passport of the petitioner. b. Grant such other relief as circumstances and contingencies may permit, in the interest of justice and equity. 3. An application having been filed by the petitioner for issuance of a fresh passport has not been processed by the respondent on account of the pendency of - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010464782026 NC: 2026:KHC:47280 WP No. 20993 of 2026 criminal proceedings in C.C.No.20102/2025, and an endorsement dated 01.07.2026 has been issued seeking for furnishing of proof of clearance of the case or travel permission from the concerned Court and clarification to be issued to the passport office. 4. The submission of Sri. Mahesh Arkalgud Srikant, learned counsel for the respondent, is that if the petitioner were to furnish either proof of disposing of the matter or furnish travel permission, the passport would be issued. 5. The requirement of clearance of a case or furnishing of travel permission is not a prerequisite for issuance of a passport. The same would be required only at the time of travel. 6. In that view of the matter, respondents are directed to issue a short validity passport. It is, however, made clear that the travel of the petitioner shall be subject to travel permission being received in the pending criminal proceedings. In that view of the matter, this Court passes the following: ORDER i. Writ petition is disposed. - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010464782026 NC: 2026:KHC:47280 WP No. 20993 of 2026 ii. The respondents are directed to issue a short validity passport to the petitioner. It is, however, made clear that the travel of the petitioner's travel abroad shall be subject to the permission, if any, granted by the Court seized of the criminal proceedings. Sd/- (SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE GJM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 4