Digital Goa, December 3 – High Court has directed authorities to renew the passport of a South Goa resident currently working in London, despite his pending criminal appeal. The applicant, who along with his parents was convicted by the South Goa Sessions Court under Sections 323, 427 and 307(attempt to murder) read with Section 34 of the IPC, had moved the court after authorities refused to renew his passport without a court-issued NOC. Court noted that the applicant is out on bail pending appeal and is gainfully employed in the UK. The bench observed that the appeal is unlikely to be decided soon, and denying renewal would unnecessarily restrict his movement. The petitioner’s counsel also cited a 1993 Ministry of External Affairs notification stating that courts may permit renewal of passports and specify validity when proceedings remain pending. Taking the notification on record, the court held that there was no valid reason to deny renewal solely due to the pending appeal. The court also remarked that renewing the passport is in the State’s interest, as the applicant may need to return to India should the appeal be dismissed and sentence upheld. Disposing of the petition, the bench directed authorities to consider renewing the passport for a period of three years.
