Naveen Chawla v. Union Of India & ANR.
$~25 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 2408/2026 & CM APPL. 11792/2026 NAVEEN CHAWLA .....Petitioner Through:
Mr.
Divyansh Thakur, Mr, Devyanshu Bharti ,Gautaum Sharma Mr. D. K. Sharma, Advs.
versus UNION OF INDIA & ANR.
.....Respondents Through:
Appearance not given.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV
O R D E R
% 20.02.2026 1.
The facts of the case would indicate that the petitioner has applied for re-issuance of passport on 12.08.2025 under the Tatkaal category vide File No. DLF075590619425.
2.
Passport bearing No. AE801785 was issued to him on 12.08.2025 with full validity, subject to post-police verification. Subsequently, the Police Verification Report ['PVR'] dated 25.08.2025 was received as 'Adverse', stating that during verification it was found that the petitioner was involved in FIR No. 05/2007 under Sections 411/420/34 Indian Penal Code, P.S. Kotwali, Delhi.
3.
The PVR stated that the petitioner did not provide any Court order or supporting document in that regard. The adverse report was found to be a suppression of material facts, and accordingly, show cause notice was issued The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
to the petitioner on 26.08.2025 under Section 10 of the Passports Act, 1967, calling upon him to furnish clarification as to why action for impounding/revocation should not take place. The petitioner does not seem to have clarified or produced any Court order. 4.
During the course of hearing, learned counsel appearing for the passport authority, on instructions, submits that the passport issued in the year 2025 remains valid and has not been impounded. It is, however, submitted that in terms of Gazette Notification GSR 570(E) dated 25.08.1993, in cases where criminal proceedings are pending before a Court, issuance or continuation of passport facilities requires a specific order or No Objection Certificate ['NOC'] from the concerned trial court permitting the applicant to travel abroad. Alternatively, it is submitted that the petitioner may submit proper clarification along with a valid Court order, NOC, in compliance with GSR 570(E). The passport, thereafter, shall continue to remain valid, having been issued in 2025 in its full validity, subject to statutory compliances.
5.
It be noted that the petitioner on 12.01.2026 approached the Court of competent jurisdiction i.e. JMFC-08, Central District, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi. The said court has made the following observations: "The statement of the then Ahlmad Sh. Raju Dubey is recorded. His death certificate has also been annexed.
Perusal of record reflects that the file is untraceable and pertains to an FIR bearing No. 5/2007. as per the RTI. it was repot1ed that the chargesheet has already been filed. However, it was reported by the ahlmad that the file could not be traced in the system. Efforts have been made for tracing the file and the statement of the then Ahlmad is recorded. He had further handed over the file to Mr. Raj Kumar, the then Ahlmad who is now stated to have expired.
Let the file be sent to the Ld. District and Sessions Judge (HQs) for relevant inquiry against the delinquent employee as per the service rules. Copy of this order be given dasti to the counsel." The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
6.
It is thus seen that FIR No. 05/2007 has not been taken to its logical conclusion. The record with respect to the said case was not traceable. The efforts are being made to trace the file and to take the issue to its logical conclusion.
7.
It be observed that the rights of the petitioner should not be prejudiced on account of administrative lapses. Even the inordinate delay in taking the FIR No. 05/2007 to its logical conclusion is not attributable to the petitioner. Any prejudice to the petitioner is wholly unjustified. 8.
Under these circumstances, the Court deems it appropriate to direct the JMFC-08, Central District, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi to issue the NOC to for the purpose of passport to continue to remain valid till its expiry. 9.
Let the petitioner to approach the JMFC-08, Central District, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi, along with a copy of the order passed today. 10.
Thereafter, let the appropriate order be passed. The same shall be supplied to the passport authority. The passport authority, thereafter, shall take an appropriate decision.
11.
Accordingly, the petition stands disposed of. PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV, J FEBRUARY 20, 2026/P/AMG The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.