Jayabharatha Reddy Kandula v. the Union of India
Passport – Refusal to issue on ground of pending criminal case
Case brief
What is this about?
Andhra Pradesh High Court (Cheemalapati, J.) writ of mandamus under Article 226 against Regional Passport Officer, Vijayawada for withholding a passport on the basis of an adverse police verification report linking the applicant to Crime No.345 of 2023 (Sections 420, 498-A IPC read with 34; Sections 3 & 4 Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, I-Town Police Station, Ananthapur). Held that once the applicant's name was deleted from the array of accused and the charge sheet named only accused No.1, the passport authorities cannot refuse issuance on that ground; authorities directed to consider the application as per law. Keywords: passport denial, criminal verification report, deletion of accused name, charge sheet against co-accused, Articles 14 and 21.
What did the court decide?
Passport authorities directed to consider the petitioner's application (File dated 17.04.2026) for issuance of passport as per law; no order as to costs; pending miscellaneous petitions stand closed.