AJIT NATWARLAL PARMAR Vs. REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Rule returnable forthwith. Mr. Kshitij Amin, learned Standing Counsel waives service of notice of rule on behalf of respondents.

(2.) The prayer in the petition is that direction be issued to the respondents to renew the passport of the petitioner bearing no. U4342267 for a period of ten years.

(3.) It is the case of the petitioner that he is the original accused in the FIR being I-C.R. No. 116 of 2012 registered with Athwalines Police Station, Surat for the offences punishable under Ss. 406, 420, 467, 471 , 114 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. He has been enlarged on anticipatory bail by this court vide order dtd. 25/3/2013 passed in Criminal Misc. Application No. 4113 of 2013. It is his case that in view of the pending criminal proceedings, the petitioner is facing hardship as he is required to travel abraod for business as well as leisure purposes and the authorities are not renewing the passport for a longer period.