Mr.Boopathy Anand v. The Regional Passport Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 28.04.2022

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE DR. JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH W.P.No.10517 of 2022 Boopathy Anand ... Petitioner Vs 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Royala Towers 2 & 3, IV Floor, New No.158, Anna Salai, Chennai - 2.

2.The Inspector of Police, Nolambur Police Station, Chennai.

...

Respondents Prayer:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to re-issue Passport to the petitioner by considering the passport application in file number MA2074079259722 dated 24.01.2022 and representation dated 12.04.2022 of the petitioner in the light of the Judgment of the Hon'ble Madras High Court in Venkatesh Kandasamy Vs. Government of India reported in AIR 2015 MAD 3 within a time frame fixed by this Hon'ble Court. For Petitioner : I.Abdul Basith For Respondents : Ms.Anuradha, Central Government Standing Counsel - R1 Mr.C.Jayaprakash, Government Advocate - R2

O R D E R

Ms.Anuradha, learned Central Government Standing Counsel accepts notice for R1 and Mr.C.Jayaprakash, learned Government Advocate accepts notice for R2 and are armed with instructions to proceed with the matter finally.

2.Learned counsel for the respondents would fairly state that mandamus as sought for by the petitioner is liable to be issued. The grievance of the petitioner is as against the inaction on the part of the respondents in failing to re-issue the passport in file No.MA2074079259722 dated 24.01.2022. The application of the petitioner appears to have kept pending on https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

account of the FIR that have been registered in breach of the covid protocol.

3.Mr.Jayaprakash states that all FIRs that had been registered for breach of lock-down conditions had been withdrawn under G.O.(Ms) No.37 dated 06.03.2018 and thus nothing stands in the way of the authority re-issuing the passport as prayed for by the petitioner. Likewise, learned counsel for R1 concurs and states that the passport will be issued within a period of three

(3) working days from today.

4.Recording the above, this Writ Petition stands disposed. No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar sl/kbs To

1. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Royala Towers 2 & 3, IV Floor, New No.158, Anna Salai, Chennai - 2.

2. The Inspector of Police, Nolambur Police Station, Chennai.

+1cc to I.Abdul Basith, Advocate, S.R.No.30114 +1cc to the Government Pleader, S.R.No.30657 W.P.No.10517 of 2022 BR(CO) CT 30/05/2022 https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/