THE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY Writ Petition No.8340 of 2011 ORDER: The petitioner was issued a passport bearing No.B 5204799 on 27.03.2001 by the office of the respondent. It is valid up to 26.03.2011. The petitioner submitted an application well in advance for renewal of the passport. On the ground that Crime No.401 of 2007, under Sections 353, 149 and 188 I.P.C., on the file of the Penamaluru Police Station, was registered, against the petitioner, the respondent is not renewing the passport. The petitioner feels aggrieved by the same. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned standing counsel for the Central Government. The petitioner submitted the application for renewal of his passport. Section 5 of the Passports Act confers power upon the Passport Officer to refuse renewal, if he is of the opinion that it is not at all safe to renew the passport. Obviously because of the registration of a criminal case against the petitioner, during the subsistence of passport, the respondent took the view that the passport be not renewed till the case reached its finality. The allegation against the petitioner in Crime No.401 of 2007 appears to be the one relating to erection of a statue. It does not involve any moral turpitude. Further, though nearly four years have elapsed, the said case is said to be still at the stage of crime. The renewal of passport cannot be denied on the strength of such a case. Hence, the writ petition is disposed of, directing the respondent to consider the case of the petitioner for renewal of passport without feeling any inhibition, on account of pendency of Crime No.401 of 2007. There shall be no order as costs. _____________________ L. NARASIMHA REDDY, J. Dt.29.03.2011. Note: Furnish C.C. in two days. (B/o) GJ