Pamulapati Sai Krishna, Vs The Union of India — Writ and Judicial Review | Andhra Pradesh HC (2026)

Pamulapati Sai Krishna, Vs The Union of India — Writ and Judicial Review | Andhra Pradesh HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Writ petition allowed on the same terms as the common order in W.P.No.5602 of 2026 and batch dated 07.04.2026, i.e., Passport Authorities directed to issue/re-issue/renew the petitioner's passport, subject to the conditions therein (orders from the concerned Court required if charge sheets are filed; revocation possible after due notice if such steps are not taken); no order as to costs; miscellaneous petitions, if any, shall stand closed.

Issue for consideration

Whether the respondents' action in not renewing the petitioner's passport (No.P0262033) despite Application No.25-1064034056 dated 23.10.2025 is illegal, arbitrary, contrary to the Passport Act, 1967 and Passport Rules, 1980 and unconstitutional, and whether a writ of mandamus should issue directing renewal of the passport.

Court's answer

The subject matter being squarely covered by the common order in W.P.No.5602 of 2026 and batch dated 07.04.2026, this writ petition is allowed following the said orders, on the same terms.

Ratio / Principle

As per the adopted terms of the common order: in the event of charge sheets being filed after investigation in criminal cases, the petitioner would be required to obtain necessary orders from the concerned Court where the charge sheets are filed, relating to further validity of the passport and any conditions on foreign travel.

Key takeaways

As per the adopted terms of the common order: if the petitioner does not take steps to obtain such orders from the concerned Court, it would be open to the Passport Authorities to revoke the passport after due notice to the petitioner.ratio¶38

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Passport - Renewal - Writ of Mandamus under Article 226 - Petitioner's passport (No.P0262033) not renewed despite application No.25-1064034056 dated 23.10.2025; challenge framed under the Passport Act, 1967 and Passport Rules, 1980 - Held: subject matter squarely covered by the common order in W.P.No.5602 of 2026 and batch dated 07.04.2026; writ petition allowed on the same terms, directing the Passport Authorities to issue/re-issue/renew the passport; if charge sheets are filed after investigation, the petitioner must obtain necessary orders from the concerned Court regarding further validity and travel conditions, failing which the Passport Authorities may revoke the passport after due notice; no order as to costs (Battu Devanand, J., 08.04.2026).

APHC010092822026

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: 5555/2026

Between:

PAMULAPATI SAI KRISHNA,, S/O. BHUSHAIAH, AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS, R/O. D.NO.7-3-11, GOWDA PALEM, NIDUBROLU, PONNURU MANDAL, GUNTUR DISTRICT.

...PETITIONER

AND

THE UNION OF INDIA, REPRESENTED BY IT'S SECRETARY MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, SOUTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI.

THE PASSPORT AUTHORITY OF INDIA, REP. BY IT'S CHIEF PASSPORT OFFICER, PSP DIVISION, MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, ROOM NO.8, PATIALA HOUSE, TILAK MARG, NEW DELHI-110 001.

THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE - HYDERABAD D.NO.8-2-215 TO 219, KUMMARGUDA, SECUNDERABAD-500003, TELANGANA.

THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER, MANGALAGIRI RURAL POLICE STATION, MANGALAGIRI, GUNTUR DISTRICT.

THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER, CID POLICE STATION, ANDHRA PRADESH, AMARAVATI, MANGALAGIRI, GUNTUR DISTRICT

...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 order, writ or direction, more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring action of the respondents in not renewing the petitioner's passport (Passport NO.P0262033) vide

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Application No.25-1064034056 dated 23.10.2025 as being illegal, arbitrary, contrary to the provisions of the Passport Act, 1967, Passport Rules, 1980 and unconstitutional and consequentially direct the respondents to renew and issue the passport to the petitioner immediately per the provisions of Passport Act, 1967 and Passport Rules, 1980

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 to direct Respondents to consider the application of the petitioner for renewal of his passport, afresh

Counsel for the Petitioner:

1.SRINIVASU L

Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1.GP FOR HOME

2.M MADAALASA CENTRAL GOVT COUNSEL

The Court made the following:

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THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND

WRIT PETITION No.5555 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.5602 of 2026 and batch, dated 07.04.2026, which is as follows:

“12. For the aforesaid reasons and in the light of the law laid down by

the Apex Court and High Courts as referred above, these writ petitions are allowed directing the Passport Authorities to issue or re-issue or renew of the passports of the petitioners.

However, in the event of charge sheets being filed after investigation in criminal cases, the petitioners would be required to obtain necessary orders from the concerned Courts where the charge sheets are filed. These orders shall be in relation to the further period of validity of the said passports and conditions, if any that may be imposed by the concerned Court in relation to his/her travel abroad.

In the event, the petitioners do not take steps for obtaining such orders, it would be open to the Passport Authorities to revoke the passports of the petitioners after due notice to the petitioners.”

Hence, following the said orders, this writ petition is allowed on the

same terms.

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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.5555 of 2026

Date: 08.04.2026

PGR