Bombay High Court

ASHOK KUMAR PURWARversusTHE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE AND ORS

Decided: 10 September 2026
Disposal: Disposed Off

Holding

Passports for persons above fifteen years should be renewed for ten years, and the interim applications for such renewal are allowed.

Summary

The petitioners sought a court direction for the renewal of their passports for a ten‑year period, challenging the earlier order that permitted only a five‑year renewal while their criminal appeals were pending. The court noted that under the Passport Rules, 1980, passports for individuals above fifteen years of age are ordinarily issued for ten years, as affirmed in several prior judgments. Since the petitioners had previously been allowed passport renewal and there was no evidence of any breach of conditions, the court found no impediment to granting the requested renewal. Consequently, the court allowed the interim applications, directing the respondent authority to issue the passports for ten years provided all other conditions are satisfied. The applications were thereafter disposed.

Issues considered

Whether the court can direct the renewal of passports for a ten‑year period under the Passport Rules, 1980 despite a prior order allowing only five years and pending criminal appeals.

Subjects

passport renewal
Passport Rules 1980
interim application
ten‑year validity
criminal appeal
high court direction

Judgment

                                                                     24-IA2325-2026+.DOC

                                                                                 Santosh

                            IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                                     CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

                                 INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 2325 OF 2026
                                                  IN
                                    CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 634 OF 2015

                      Ashok Kumar Purwar                                   ...Applicant
                                       Versus
                      The Superintendent of Police (ACB, CBI,
                      Mumbai) and ors.                                   …Respondents
                                                WITH
                                 INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 2333 OF 2026
                                                  IN
                                    CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 633 OF 2015

                      Chhaya Ashok Kumar Purwar                            ...Applicant
                                       Versus
                      The Superintendent of Police (ACB, CBI,
                      Mumbai) and ors.                                   …Respondents

                      Mr. Ravi Gumani, for the Appellant in IA/2325/2026.
                      Mr. Narayan Kumar, for the Applicant i/b Ravi Gumani in
                            IA/2333/2026.
                      Mr. Ajay Patil, for Respondent No.1-CBI.
                      Mr. Yash Gala, for Respondent No.2-UOI.
                      Mr. D. J. Haldankar, APP for the State.
                                                     CORAM: N. J. JAMADAR, J.
SANTOSH                                              DATED: 10th SEPTEMBER, 2026
SUBHASH
KULKARNI
Digitally signed by
SANTOSH
SUBHASH
KULKARNI
                      Oral Order:-
Date: 2026.09.11
21:37:44 +0530

                      IA/2325/2026 and IA/2333/2026

                      1.    Heard the learned Counsel for the parties.

                      2.    These applications are for directions to respondent No.2 to

                      renew/issue fresh Passport in the name of the applicants with a

                      validity period of 10 years.
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                                                24-IA2325-2026+.DOC

3.    By an order dated 27th October, 2021, the applicants were

allowed to apply for renewal of the Passport for the period of five

years. The applicants are required to move this Court again as

in view of the pendency of these appeals respondent No.2 is

insisting for an order from this Court for renewal of the

Passports for a term of 10 years.

4.    In a series of judgments this Court has clarified that, in

all cases where the Court directs renewal of the Passports as

per the       Rules, the Passport Rules, 1980 shall apply and

Passports for persons other than children below the age of 15

years shall be renewed for a period of ten years. (Narendra K

Ambwani Vs Union of India and Ors, 1 Samip Nitin Ranjani Vs

Union of India and Ors2 and Jiten Rameshchandra Shah and

Ors Vs Shah Tokarshi Keshavji and Co.3)

5.    As this Court has permitted the applicants to renew the

Passports in the past and there is no grievance of breach of

conditions or abuse of liberty, this Court does not find any

impediment in allowing the applications in terms of prayer

clause (a).




1     2014 (4) Bom CR 281.
2     2016 SCC OnLine Bom 14539.
3     MANU/MH/6170/2025.
                               2/3
                                                 24-IA2325-2026+.DOC

6.    The applications thus stand allowed in terms of prayer

clause (a).

7.    In the event the applicants satisfy all other conditions and

respondent No.2 decides to renew/issue the Passports, the

same shall be issued for a period of 10 years.

8.    The applications stand disposed.




                                          [N. J. JAMADAR, J.]




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