Disposed¶36

Mrs. Sohini Bhattacharya v. Union of India

Passport – Delay in dispatch – Writ petition under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India

Karnataka HC25 Apr 2026WP/12058/2026

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What is this about?

Karnataka High Court (Bengaluru), WP No. 12058 of 2026 (GM-PASS), decided 25 April 2026 by Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum. Petitioner Sohini Bhattacharya vs Union of India, Chief Passport Officer, Regional Passport Officer Bengaluru and SP (Passport Verification), represented by CGC Reshma K Thammaiah; petitioner by Prateek Chandramouli. Passport issuance delay; representation dated 13.03.2026; urgent travel abroad on official duty. Court disposed of the petition, directing Passport Authorities to dispatch the passport forthwith with utmost expedition.

What did the court decide?

Direction to the respondents – Passport Authorities to forthwith dispatch the petitioner's passport with utmost expedition. ¶36

Mrs. Sohini Bhattacharya Vs Union of India — Writ and Judicial Review | Karnataka HC (2026)

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NC: 2026:KHC:22906 WP No. 12058 of 2026

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HC-KAR

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 25^TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026 BEFORE

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THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM WRIT PETITION NO. 12058 OF 2026 (GM-PASS)

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BETWEEN:

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MRS. SOHINI BHATTACHARYA D/O MR. DEBAPRASAD BHATTACHARYA, AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS, R/AT NO. 30, RAMA NILAYA, RMV 2^ND STAGE, SANJAYNAGAR, BENGALURU - 560 094.

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…PETITIONER

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(BY SRI. PRATEEK CHANDRAMOULI, ADVOCATE)

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AND:

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Digitally signed by NAGARAJA B M Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA

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UNION OF INDIA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, SOUTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI - 110 011.

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THE CHIEF PASSPORT OFFICER MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, SOUTH BLODK NEW DELHI - 110 066.

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THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, 8^TH BLOCK, 80 FEET ROAD, KORAMANGALA, BENGALURU - 560 095.

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NC: 2026:KHC:22906 WP No. 12058 of 2026

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HC-KAR

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THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE (PASSPORT VERIFICATION) BENGALURU CITY POLICE, BENGALURU - 560 001.

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…RESPONDENTS

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(BY SMT. RESHMA K THAMMAIAH, CGC)

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THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS TO CONSIDER THE REPRESENTATION VIDE ANNEXURE-E DATED 13.03.2026 AND ETC.,

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THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

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CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM

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ORAL ORDER

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Heard learned counsel appearing for the petitioner

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and learned counsel appearing for Union of India/Passport Authority.

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2. Learned counsel appearing for the respondents –

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Passport Authority, on instructions, submits that the

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passport pertaining to the petitioner has already been processed and is ready for issuance, and that the same would be dispatched in due course.

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3 - NC: 2026:KHC:22906 WP No. 12058 of 2026

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HC-KAR

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3. Per-contra , learned counsel for the petitioner vehemently pleads urgency, contending that the petitioner is required to travel abroad on official duty, and any delay in dispatch of the passport would seriously prejudice the petitioner’s professional obligations.

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4. In response, learned counsel appearing for the respondents – Passport Authority, on instructions, fairly submits that the apprehension expressed by the petitioner is unfounded, and assures this Court that the concerned authority shall expedite the process and ensure that the passport is dispatched at the earliest, without any further delay.

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5. Recording the aforesaid submission and

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assurance, this Court is of the considered view that no further adjudication is warranted.

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Accordingly, the petition stands disposed of , with a direction to the respondents – Passport Authorities to

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NC: 2026:KHC:22906 WP No. 12058 of 2026

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HC-KAR

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