Keerti v. The Regional Passport Officer And ORS

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.17410 of 2018 ====================================================== Keerti, W/o Bhagwan Shamrao Mane, R/o 60-B, Patliputra Colony, P.O. + P.S.- Patliputra, Patna- 800013.

... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

1. The Regional Passport Officer, D - Block, Maurya Lok Complex, Patna.

2. Assistant Superintendent, Regional Passport Office, D - Block, Maurya Lok Complex, Patna.

3. Assistant Passport Officer, D - Block, Maurya Lok Complex, Patna.

4. The Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

5. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna. ... ... Respondent/s ====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Prabhat Ranjan Singh, Adv.

Mr. Manu Tripurari, Adv.

Mr. Arvind Kumar, Adv.

For the UOI : Mr. Awadhesh Kr. Pandey, Sr. CGC ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ASHUTOSH KUMAR ORAL JUDGMENT Date : 07-12-2018 The petitioner is a holder of a passport which was issued about a decade ago. It was renewed on 15.07.2015. Shortly after the renewal of the passport of the petitioner, a show-cause notice was issued to her for surrendering the passport and giving explanation as to why

Patna High Court CWJC No.17410 of 2018 dt.07-12-2018 2/3 the information about her implication in a criminal case was withheld from the passport authority.

2. It has been submitted on behalf of the petitioner that twice, the petitioner has appeared before respondent No. 1, the Regional Passport Officer, Patna and has furnished every proof of her bona fides.

3. The final decision has not yet been taken by the respondent No. 1 on the lame pretext of the inquiry at the end of respondent No. 5, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna, which is still continuing with respect to the antecedents of the petitioner.

4. It appears rather surprising, that such long time would be taken by the respondent authorities in taking a decision whether the petitioner is entitled to her passport or not.

5. The respondent No. 1 (the Regional Passport Officer) is directed to conclude the proceedings which is pending at his end and take a final decision with respect to the passport of the petitioner within a period of two months from the date of receipt/production of a copy of

Patna High Court CWJC No.17410 of 2018 dt.07-12-2018 3/3 this order.

6. With the aforesaid direction, the writ petition stands disposed off.

(Ashutosh Kumar, J) Praveen-II/- AFR/NAFR NAFR CAV DATE N/A Uploading Date 13.12.2018 Transmission Date N/A