Ravuri Venkata Narayana, v. The Government Of India, Ministry Of External Affairs,

HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE RAJA ELANGO WRIT PETITION No.44171 of 2016 ORDER:

This writ petition is filed by the petitioner under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking to direct the 2nd respondent to issue fresh booklet/passport pursuant to the application of the petitioner, dated 29.04.2016, duly considering the replies, dated 14.07.2016 and 10.09.2016, submitted by the petitioner to the clarification sought by the 2nd respondent vide letter, dated 10.06.2016, and consequently declare the inaction of the 2nd respondent, as illegal and arbitrary.

Heard Sri M. Ravinder, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri Punna Rao, learned Standing Counsel for the 2nd respondent and perused the material available on record. The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner was issued passport originally on 15.07.2011 bearing Passport No.J7168412 and the same would expire by 14.07.2021. It is further submitted by the petitioner that the petitioner submitted an application to the 2nd respondent on 29.04.2016 to issue fresh booklet of the passport since the number of pages allotted in the said passport exhausted. The 2nd respondent, by letter, dated 10.06.2016, sought certain clarifications regarding issuance of passport facilities to the petitioner since criminal cases are registered against the petitioner and the same are pending for trial. The petitioner submitted reply to the said letter, vide letters, dated 14.07.2016 and 10.09.2016, by duly clarifying all the queries raised by the 2nd respondent. The main grievance of the petitioner is that the 2nd respondent is not considering the representation of

the petitioner, dated 29.04.2016, even though the petitioner has submitted replies to the letter of the 2nd respondent, dated 10.06.2016, seeking clarification.

Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the grievance of the petitioner, the 2nd respondent is directed to consider the representation, dated 29.04.2016, submitted by the petitioner, and pass appropriate orders, as expeditiously as possible, in accordance with law, preferably within a period of one

(1) month from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. With the above direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed.

____________________ RAJA ELANGO, J Date: 19th December, 2016 KL