As per case facts, the Petitioner, SURUMI SHIJI, an accused in a criminal case (Crime No.33/2024), sought the release of her seized passport and mobile phone. Her application was dismissed ... by lower courts due to pending criminal proceedings. The High Court considered the appeal, noting previous judgments, including one where the Supreme Court restricted its findings to specific facts regarding passport renewal. The central legal question the High Court addressed, drawing upon Supreme Court precedents, was whether pending criminal proceedings bar passport issuance or renewal. Finally, the High Court directed the release of the mobile phone based on the Supreme Court's SUNDERBHAI Judgment and advised the Petitioner to apply for a short validity passport as per Section 6(2)(f) of the Indian Passport Act and relevant notification, acknowledging the broader legal question on passport renewal was not definitively settled by the Supreme Court for all cases.