Kareema Thobani v. The Regional Passport Officer,

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE CHALLA KODANDA RAM WRIT PETITION No. 39464 OF 2014 O R D E R:

This Writ Petition is filed seeking a direction to the respondent Regional Passport Officer to renew the passport of the petitioner bearing No. E 5572969.

The case of the petitioner is that initially, she obtained the passport on 30.05.2003 which is valid up to 29.05.2013. Thereafter, she made an Application seeking renewal of the said passport, but the same has not been considered. It is her further case that for the notice dated 06.11.2013 issued by the respondent requiring her to clarify as to the passport said to have been applied in 1989, she submitted the explanation dated 11.11.2013, denying the said allegation. Thereafter, two other notices dated 26.11.2013 and 16.07.2014 followed, for which, the petitioner claims, a reply was sent on 14.10.2014 through registered post. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner.

Learned Standing Counsel for the respondent denied receipt of the reply dated 14.10.2014 of the petitioner. He further submits that the petitioner has suppressed the factum of applying the passport in 1989 itself and hence, the Writ Petition is liable to be dismissed on that ground alone.

The petitioner specifically contends that there is a possibility of someone obtaining passport in her name and in the representation alleged to have been submitted by her, she claimed that the respondent authorities may verify the details, like photograph, date of birth, etcetera vis-à-vis the information furnished by her for issuance of passport in 2003.

In this backdrop, as, admittedly, no such verification has been carried out by the respondent authorities and the petitioner was also not supplied any material in relation to the Application said to have been made in 1989, the Passport Officer shall furnish the documents in their possession to enable the petitioner to offer her explanation. Likewise, the petitioner also shall clarify the doubts, which the Passport Officer may raise, and also place before the latter the relevant documents and other particulars, for consideration. Thereafter, the respondent shall consider and pass necessary orders thereon. As the petitioner expresses her desire to travel overseas, and considering the fact that the Writ Petition came to be filed in 2014, it is directed that the entire exercise shall be completed by the respondent authorities within six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

The Writ Petition is accordingly, disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the miscellaneous Applications, if any shall stand closed.

____________________________ CHALLA KODANDA RAM, J 05th October 2017 ksld