Prayagraj (UP), Apr 9 Renewal of passport is a legitimate right available to a person which cannot be stopped on the basis of anxiety and fear, the Allahabad High Court has observed.
Allowing an application filed by Rampur resident Dilip, Justice Saurabh Srivastava directed the regional passport officer to renew his passport without any delay.
The court set aside the July 30, 2025 order of the additional chief judicial magistrate that rejected Dilip's application seeking permission for renewal of passport.
According to facts of the case, Dilip went to Saudi Arabia, where he is currently residing, and wanted to return to India for appearing before the court of chief judicial magistrate, Rampur in connection with a criminal case, where a non-bailable warrant was issued against him.
However, when he moved an application seeking permission for renewal of his passport, it was rejected by the additional chief judicial magistrate.
Then, he filed the present application under section 528 (inherent powers of high court) before the high court challenging the order.
During the course of hearing, the state counsel argued that after his passport is renewed, there is no assurance or undertaking given through instant application that Dilip will return to India and appear before the court.
Having heard both sides, the high court in its judgement on Tuesday noted that renewal of passport is the legitimate right available with the applicant and it cannot be stopped only on the basis of anxiety and fear showed by the state counsel.
The court directed the regional passport officer to renew Dilip's passport without any delay, if there is no other impediment available.
