- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:4808 WP No. 1817 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 29TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD WRIT PETITION NO.1817 OF 2026 (GM-PASS) BETWEEN: MR.MANJUNATH V S/O. S. VENKATESH AGED ABOUT 28 YEARS RESIDING AT NO.185, SADASHIVA KRUPA B. V KARANTH ROAD, 7TH CROSS CANARA BANK LAYOUT KODIGEHALLI, NEAR G K TREDERS, VIDYARANYAPURA, Bangalore, KARNATAKA - 560 097 …PETITIONER (BY SRI.KESHAV M DATAR., ADVOCATE) AND: UNION OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Digitally signed by VANAMALA N Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:4808 WP No. 1817 of 2026 JAWAHARLAL NEHRU BHAVAN, 23 - D, JANPATH, NEW DELHI - 110 001. REP. BY SECRETARY REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE. 8TH BLOCK, 80 FEET ROAD, KORAMANGALA, BENGALURU - 560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI.M.AJAY PRABHU, CGC) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT TO REISSUE THE PASSPORT WITH REMOVAL OF THE LABEL EMIGRATION CHECK REQUIRED TO THE PETITIONER VIDE ANNEXURE-A. 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:4808 WP No. 1817 of 2026 ORAL ORDER The petitioner seeks direction to the Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bengaluru to remove Emigration Check Required [ECR] Seal on his passport. Sri Keshav M. Datar, the learned counsel for the petitioner, submits that the petitioner's passport bears this seal only because the petitioner could not produce the originals of his SSLC marks card and now that the petitioner has located the original and is willing to furnish the same for due scrutiny, the Regional Passport Officer must remove the seal contending that pending criminal proceedings cannot be a reason for continuance of such seal. Sri M. Ajay Prabhu, the learned Central Government counsel who is permitted to take notice for the respondent, states on instructions that this Court may dispose of the petition taking on record the submission that the Passport Officer will consider - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:4808 WP No. 1817 of 2026 the petitioner's request in terms of Annexure-C filed on 06.01.2026 and communicate the decision within four [4] weeks. In the light of the afore, the petition stands disposed of without prejudice to the petitioner to pursue remedy if in the event there is occasion for the same. SD/- (B M SHYAM PRASAD) JUDGE SA List No.: 1 Sl No.: 6