HC asks John to approach RPO for passport renewal

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The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed actor John Abraham, convicted for negligent driving and injuring two persons, to approach the regional passport office seeking renewal of his passport.

Justice P. D. Kode has asked the passport office to consider John's application on merits and in accordance with law. John had approached the high court seeking direction to the passport authority for renewal of his passport for a year which expired within six months. John approached the passport office seeking renewal.

However, the passport office refused to decide on his application saying if any case is pending against the applicant then court permission has to be taken before renewal or issuance of a new passport.

In his petition, the actor claimed that since the High Court has granted him probation there was no case pending against him. The High Court had recently upheld the 15-day sentence awarded to John for rash and negligent driving in 2006.

However, his sentence was suspended and the actor was released on probation under the Probation of Offenders Act. John wants renewal of his passport to travel to Turkey for a film shoot.

In his petition, John said the Turkish government rules prescribe that work visa should be given only to those who have a passport valid for over six months.