Renewal of passport is legitimate right of holder, can’t be denied on grounds of apprehension: HC

Rajesh Kumar Pandey | TNNPrayagraj: Allahabad high court has ruled that the renewal of passport is the legitimate right of a person and cannot be denied oon the basis of apprehension or suspicion of govt authorities about the applicant.A bench of Justice Saurabh Srivastava passed this order while setting aside the order of additional chief judicial magistrate (ACJM), Rampur, who rejected the application of one Dilip seeking renewal of his passport.The high court in its April 7 order directed the regional passport officer concerned to renew the petitioner’s passport without any delay.Dilip, a native of Rampur, is settled in Saudi Arabia and wanted to return to India to appear before the court of CJM Rampur in connection with a criminal case where a non-bailable warrant had been issued against him.He had moved a plea before additional CJM Rampur seeking permission for renewal of his passport but the court rejected it in an order dated July 30, 2025. He challenged the order in the high court.During the hearing, the state counsel said if the applicant’s passport was renewed then there is no assurance or undertaking that he will return to India and appear before court concerned.The high court noted that the passport renewal is the legitimate right of a person and cannot be denied merely on the basis of apprehension expressed by the govt authorities. The court directed the ministry of external affairs through its joint secretary (matter of Middle East) to ensure this order is made available to the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia so that action may be initiated after renewal of the passport to ensure presence of the applicant before the Rampur court concerned.