Hyderabad: Telangana high court has directed minister Laxman Kumar Adluri to approach the trial courts concerned for a no objection certificate (NOC) to obtain a passport. Laxman Kumar holds SC development & tribal welfare ministries, among other portfolios.Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka passed the directions recently while hearing Laxman Kumar, whose passport application was rejected by the passport authorities following an adverse police verification report citing multiple criminal cases pending against him.The court further directed the passport authority to process his application for a passport based on the NOC from the trial court. The court also clarified that NOC was limited to enabling the petitioner to apply for and obtain a passport and should not be treated as permission to travel abroad.According to police records, there were eight criminal cases against the minister at different locations, including three cases pending trial.The court, while disposing of the minister’s petition, said that he must first file proper applications before the trial courts where the cases were pending, seeking an NOC to obtain a passport.It directed the concerned trial courts to consider the applications, once filed, and pass appropriate orders expeditiously. Subsequently, upon the petitioner furnishing the NOC, the passport authority has been directed to consider the same for reissuing or renewing the passport in accordance with law.The court further directed that if the minister intends to travel abroad while the criminal cases were still pending, he must file a separate application before the trial court clearly stating the purpose and duration of travel.The trial court would then examine the request and might impose conditions before granting permission, the court clarified.High court further noted that trial courts were free to take action as per law, if any conditions imposed, while granting travel permission were violated.
