Delhi High Court - Orders
Sh. Sanchit Alagh vs Union Of India & Ors on 5 February, 2026
Author: Anup Jairam Bhambhani
Bench: Anup Jairam Bhambhani
$~60
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
+ W.P.(CRL) 791/2025
SH. SANCHIT ALAGH .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Gaganmeet Singh Sachdeva, Mr.
Harshpreet Singh Chadha and mr.
Hridyesh Khanna, Advocates.
versus
UNION OF INDIA & ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Sanjeev Bhandari, ASC for the
State.
Ms. Usha Jamnal, Advocate for UOI.
Mr. Atul Guleria, SPP with Mr.
Aryan Rakesh and Ms. Kshipra,
Advocates.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANUP JAIRAM BHAMBHANI
ORDER
% 05.02.2026 CRL.M.A. 3973/2026 By way of the present application filed under section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, the petitioner seeks interim stay on the file closure notification dated 22.01.2026 issued by respondent No.1 (Ministry of External Affairs) to the petitioner.
2. Mr. Gaganmeet Singh Sachdeva, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits, that by way of a communication dated 22.01.2026, respondent No.1 - Ministry of External Affairs, has informed the petitioner that since his passport application has been 'on-hold' in that office for more than 90 days, he is granted a last opportunity to furnish relevant documents, failing which it will be presumed that he has nothing to say in the matter; and his application will be closed.
W.P.(CRL) 791/2025 Page 1 of 3This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 20/02/2026 at 20:35:23
3. Mr. Sachdeva submits however, that yesterday, the petitioner has received an e-mail dated 04.02.2026, which now informs him that in view of the judgment of the Supreme Court in Mahesh Kumar Agarwal vs. Union of India & Anr.1, his passport application will be processed in accordance with law.
4. Learned counsel submits, that considering their norm, the Ministry is likely to issue to the petitioner a passport with only a 01 year validity, which will amount to mere a cosmetic renewal since the petitioner is unlikely to be granted any visa if he applies with a passport which has a validity period of less than 06 months from the date of travel.
5. A copy of e-mail dated 04.02.2026 is handed-up in court. The same is taken on record.
6. In view of communication dated 04.02.2026 received by the petitioner, he submits that the Ministry be directed to issue a passport with a validity of 10 years.
7. Issue notice.
8. Learned Additional Standing Counsel appears on behalf of respondent No. 4 on advance copy; and accepts notice.
9. Learned Special Public Prosecutor is also present on behalf of respondent No.3 on advance copy; and accepts notice.
10. Upon the petitioner taking requisite steps, let notice be sent to the unserved respondent by all permissible modes, returnable for the next date.
12025 SCC OnLine SC 2887 W.P.(CRL) 791/2025 Page 2 of 3 This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 20/02/2026 at 20:35:23
11. Let status report/reply be filed within 04 weeks; rejoinder thereto, if any, be filed within 03 weeks thereafter; with copies to the opposing counsel.
12. Re-notify on 29th April 2026, the date already fixed.
13. In the meantime, however respondent No.1. - Ministry of External Affairs is directed not to close the petitioner's passport application file nor issue to him any passport, until further directions by this court.
ANUP JAIRAM BHAMBHANI, J FEBRUARY 5, 2026 ss W.P.(CRL) 791/2025 Page 3 of 3 This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 20/02/2026 at 20:35:23