Applying for passport pending criminal charges

can apply for passport. But clearly criminal charges to be mentioned in the application form. As per the severeness of the charges, passport office will police enquiry and issue passport. 

Without court permission, no passport will br issued if charges are pending.

Forget about criminal cases, if you have recd summons as a witness passport will be refused unless permitted by court. Read this:

(g) that a warrant or summons for the appearance, or a warrant for the arrest, of the applicant has been issued by a court under any law for the time being in force or that an order prohibiting the departure from India of the applicant has been made by any such court; 

MERA BHARAT MAHAN. That is why no body goes to report even a traffivc accident. 

U have to mention if any criminal charges are pending along with the details and have to inform when the police verification is done.If U supress such things U will be in a soup later on.

Prior Permission from MEA has to be processed through proper channel, explaining the purpose of travel together with duration...