Gujarat High Court orders passport authority to decide on renewal of Kuwait-based Indian worker

Gujarat High Court has directed the passport authority to take a lawful decision within four weeks on the passport renewal application of an Indian national working in Kuwait, after his plea was initially rejected over a pending traffic-related case.

Justice Aniruddha P Mayee observed that the applicant’s livelihood abroad could be affected if renewal was not processed in time, with deportation being a possible consequence.

The applicant, Mohsin Surti, has been legally residing in Kuwait since 2000. During a recent visit to India, a case was registered against him in Lunawada police station for wrong-side and rash driving on an Activa scooter.

The embassy refused renewal unless he submitted a closure report or court order. Surti assured the court he would fully cooperate with trial proceedings but needed the passport to continue employment overseas.

Taking the circumstances into account, the court instructed authorities to consider his explanation and decide on his renewal application as per law.