Raja Bollineni, Vs Union of India — Writ and Judicial Review | Andhra Pradesh HC (2026)

Raja Bollineni, Vs 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 dated 07.04.2026 in W.P.No.5602 of 2026 and batch: Passport Authorities directed to issue the petitioner's Tatkaal passport; if a charge sheet is subsequently filed, the petitioner must obtain orders from the concerned Court regarding further validity and travel conditions, failing which the authorities may revoke the passport after due notice. No order as to costs; miscellaneous petitions (including IA No. 1 of 2026), if any, stand closed.

Issue for consideration

Whether the action of the 2nd respondent in keeping the petitioner's Tatkaal passport application (File No. VJ2076132588125 dated 23.12.2025) on hold without deciding it is illegal, irregular and violative of the Passports Act, 1967 and Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution, warranting a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to process, finalise and issue the Tatkaal passport.

Court's answer

Both learned counsel brought to the Court's notice that the subject matter is squarely covered by the common order dated 07.04.2026 in W.P.No.5602 of 2026 and batch; following that order, this writ petition is allowed on the same terms, i.e., directing the Passport Authorities to issue the petitioner's Tatkaal passport.

Ratio / Principle

Term adopted from the followed 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 Courts where the charge sheets are filed, relating to further period of validity of the passport and any conditions imposed regarding travel abroad.

Key takeaways

Term adopted from the followed 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¶33

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ of mandamus under Article 226 of the Constitution read with the Passports Act, 1967 and Articles 14, 19 and 21, by an applicant whose Tatkaal passport application (File No. VJ2076132588125 dated 23.12.2025) was kept on hold by the Regional Passport Officer, Vijayawada, without decision. On both learned counsel stating that the matter was squarely covered by the common order dated 07.04.2026 in W.P.No.5602 of 2026 and batch, Justice Battu Devanand followed that order and allowed the writ petition on the same terms: the Passport Authorities were to issue the passport; if a charge sheet was later filed after investigation, the petitioner had to obtain necessary orders from the concerned Court as to further validity and any conditions on foreign travel; and on failure to obtain such orders, the authorities could revoke the passport after due notice. No order as to costs; miscellaneous petitions closed.

APHC010187662026

[3207]

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI

(Special Original Jurisdiction)

THURSDAY,THE SIXTEENTH DAY OF APRIL TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX

PRESENT

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND WRIT PETITION NO: 9954/2026

Between:

RAJA BOLLINENI,, S/O. VENKATESWARA RAO BOLLINENI AGED 54 YEARS, OCC CULTIVATION, R/O. D.NO.3-17, MAIN ROAD, LAKSHMIPURAM, TIRUVURU MANDAL, NTR DISTRICT-521235.

...PETITIONER

AND

UNION OF INDIA, REP. BY SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, SOUTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI. -110011

REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, VIJAYAWADA, ANDHRA PRADESH. - 520002

THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER, AGIRIPALLI POLICE STATION, ELURU DISTRICT. -521211

...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 topleased to issue a writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of WRIT OF MANDAMUS declaring the action of 2nd respondent in keeping my Tatkaal passport application File No. VJ2076132588125 dated 23.12.2025 on hold and thereby not issuing passport in spite of my application without deciding the same, as illegal, irregular, violative of provisions of Passports Act, 1967 and rules framed thereunder and offends

2

Articles 14, 19 and 21 of Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents to process, finalize and to issue Tatkaal passport in my favour

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 pleased to direct the 2nd respondent to consider and decide my application File No. VJ2076132588125 dated 23.12.2025 submitted for Tatkaal passport pending disposal of the main writ petition

Counsel for the Petitioner:

1.NIMMAGADDA REVATHI

Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1.SRI. JOSYULA BHASKARA RAO, LEARNED COUNSEL FOR THE RESPONDENT NOS.1 AND 2.

2.GP FOR HOME FOR RESPONDENT NO.3.

The Court made the following:

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THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND WRIT PETITION No.9954 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: 16.04.2026 SA

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THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND

WRIT PETITION NO.9954 of 2026

Dt.16.04.2026 SA