Court orders immediate return of passport, allowing petitioner to exit country after nine-year restriction.

The court granted the petition for a writ of mandamus, directing respondent no.1 to return the petitioner's passport immediately. This decision allowed the petitioner, who had been restricted from leaving the country for nine years following an acquittal in 2014, to exit the country and process necessary formalities. The court found the request to modify the visa category unnecessary as the petitioner was now permitted to leave. The appeal filed by respondent no.1 was dismissed in 2019, leading to a swift resolution for the petitioner.

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Issues Involved:
Petition for writ of mandamus to release passport and convert visa for employment.

Analysis:
The petitioner entered India on a tourist visa in 2010 and was subsequently arrested for alleged drug-related offences. After being acquitted in 2014, he was restricted from leaving the country due to an appeal filed by respondent no.1. The petitioner, a qualified engineer, sought permission to work but was denied for nine years. The appeal was dismissed in 2019, clearing the way for the petitioner to exit the country. The court directed respondent no.1 to return the petitioner's passport immediately, allowing him to leave and process the necessary formalities. As the petitioner is now required to leave, the request to modify the visa category was deemed unnecessary. The petition was disposed of with the mentioned directions, ensuring a swift resolution to the petitioner's situation.

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