In his plea, Azmi stated that he was issued a passport in 1997 for a period of 10 years. In 2002, after he was elected the Member of Parliament of Rajya Sabha, he was issued a diplomatic passport. After his term as the member of parliament concluded in 2008, the validity of his diplomatic passport too expired.

He then submitted an application for a new passport, but was rejected by the assistant passport officer as nine criminal cases were pending against him.

Azmi contended that even though there were nine cases against him, he has not been convicted in any of them. He also contended that the cases against him are politically motivated since he is not a member of the ruling party. He urged the court to direct the passport authorities to issue him a passport since he is a law abiding citizen and has assets in the country.

Advocate Rajiv Chavan who is appearing for the passport authorities opposed the plea on the grounds that some criminal cases are pending against Azmi.