1 appa1514.10 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY APPELLATE SIDE CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO.1514 OF 2010 In CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.772 OF 1998 Shri Lakhu Vallabhadas Chachra @ Bhatia : Applicant V/s. The Union of India & Anr. : Respondents .... Mr.Anil Lalla i/b. Lalla and Lalla for the applicant. Mr.Francis E. Saldanha for D.R.I., Mumbai. Mr.Rajesh More, Addl. Public Prosecutor for the State. .... CORAM : D.D. SINHA AND SMT.V.K.TAHILRAMANI, JJ. DATE : DECEMBER 22, 2010. P.C.: Heard the learned counsel for the applicant and the learned counsel appearing for the respective respondents. 2. This Criminal Application is moved by the applicant seeking permission of this Court to apply for renewal of Passport of the applicant for a period of one year. 2 appa1514.10 3. The learned counsel for the applicant has brought to our notice the order dated 19.1.2010 passed in Criminal Application No.1378 of 2009 wherein the applicant has prayed for similar permission to apply for renewal of his Passport for a period of one year which was granted by this Court. It is prayed that order on similar line may kindly be passed in the present Criminal Application. 4. The learned counsel for the respondent no.1 does not dispute the factual aspect of the matter, including the fact that on an earlier occasion, the Division Bench of this Court vide order dated 19.1.2010 granted such permission. However, the learned counsel for the respondent no.1 has submitted that if the Passport is renewed by the Regional Passport Authority and if the applicant decides to leave this country, he be directed to inform the Union of India the date of departure, the country he intends to visit and date of return to India as well as about his address where he will be residing abroad. 5. On the back-drop of the above referred undisputed facts, it appears that the applicant is the respondent-accused in the appeal preferred by Union of India against the order of acquittal for offences under sections 3 appa1514.10 8(c), 21, 23 and 29 of the NDPS Act and section 11 read with section 135(1)(a) and section 35(i) and (ii) of the Customs Act, 1962. The appeal filed by the Union of India is pending for final decision. It is not in dispute that this Court vide order dated 19.1.2010 granted permission to the applicant to apply for renewal of his Passport. In the present Criminal Application, the applicant has prayed for similar permission. 6. In the circumstances, the applicant is permitted to apply for renewal of his Passport for a period of one year and it is for the Regional Passport Authority to consider the renewal of the Passport of the applicant for a period of one year on its own merits and in accordance with law as well as procedure applicable in this regard and take appropriate decision accordingly. If the Passport is renewed by the Regional Passport Authority and if the applicant decides to leave this country, he is directed to inform the Union of India the date of departure, the country he intends to visit and date of return to India as well as about his address where he will be residing abroad. With these observations, the Criminal Application is disposed of. (D. D. SINHA, J.) (SMT.V.K.TAHILRAMANI,J.)