← Library
Madras High CourtWP/12055/2022disposed of

K.Jaya Singh v. The Regional Passport Officer

2022-05-05Honourable Mr Justice R. Mahadevan5 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 06.05.2022 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R. MAHADEVAN K.Jaya Singh ..Petitioner Vs 1.The Regional Passport Officer Shastribhavan Haddows Road, Chennai - 600 006.

2.The Sub Inspector, Land Grabbing Cell, Central Crime Branch (Team 18A) Vepery, Chennai - 600 007.

..Respondents Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of mandamus directing the first respondent to expedite the process of the application with Reference No.MA2063998055322 dated 02.03.2022 and issue the petitioner passport within a time frame as fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner :

Mr.R.Abdul Mubeen For R2 :

Mr.A.M.Ayyadurai Government Advocate 1/5

ORDER

The petitioner has come up with this writ petition seeking to issue a writ of mandamus directing the first respondent to expedite the process of the application bearing Reference No.MA2063998055322 dated 02.03.2022 and issue passport to the petitioner within a time frame to be stipulated by this Court.

2.The brief facts of the case are that the petitioner is a qualified Anglican church bishop and he applied for passport on 12.02.2015 and his application was assigned with Reference No.15-1001422657, however, the same was kept pending without any progress. On enquiry, it was learnt that the petitioner's application was not considered for want of details pertaining to the pendency of the criminal case in Cr.No.299 of 2011 on the file of Central Crime Branch, Chennai, registered against him. According to the petitioner, though the case was registered in the year 2011 and charge sheet was filed, no trial had commenced, till date. It is the grievance of the petitioner that he is now, invited for delivering religious sermons in European countries and unable to discharge the said duties, for want of 2/5

passport and hence, he once again applied for passport on 02.03.2022 and was assigned with Reference No.MA 2063998055322, which is pending without any progress. Finding no other alternative, the petitioner is before this court with this writ petition.

3.The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has already submitted a representation dated 14.03.2022 to the first respondent requesting to consider his passport application, at an early date and hence, it would suffice, if a direction is issued to the first respondent to pass appropriate orders, on the same, within a time frame to be stipulated by this court.

4.Considering the limited relief now sought by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this court, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, directs the first respondent to consider the petitioner's application seeking passport and pass appropriate orders, on merits and in accordance with law, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 3/5

5.Accordingly, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. 06.05.2022 Index:Yes/No hvk/dm To 1.The Regional Passport Officer Shastribhavan Haddows Road, Chennai - 600 006.

2.The Sub Inspector, Land Grabbing Cell, Central Crime Branch (Team 18A) Vepery, Chennai - 600 007.

4/5

R. MAHADEVAN, J.

hvk/dm/ch 06.05.2022 5/5