Mr.D.Selvam v. The Regional Passport Officer
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 29.11.2021
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.P.No.14204 of 2021 1.D.Selvam 2.T.Sarveshraj (Minor child) ... Petitioners Vs.
1.The Regional Passport Officer, Passport Office, 26, Shastri Bhavan, Haddows Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006.
2.The Superintendent Passport Office, No.1, Bhanumathi Ramakrishna Road, Bharani Colony, Vijayaraghavapuram, Saligramam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu - 600 093.
... Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider the representation dated 29.06.2021 seeking to renew the passport of the second petitioner.
For Petitioner : Mr.P.Saranath For Respondents : Mr.Ramasamy Meyyappan for M/s.ME.Sarashwathy SPC
O R D E R
The petitioners have filed this writ petition seeking issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider the representation dated 29.06.2021 seeking to renew the passport of the second petitioner.
2.The facts of the case is that the first petitioner is the close friend of one Stevhen living in Singapore whose sister Hameed Natchiya and her husband Tamilselvam @ Senthamizhselvan
died due to COVID leaving behind their minor son/ second petitioner. The relatives of the second petitioner are living in Singapore and they are ready to take care of him. Since there is no relative for the second petitioner in Chennai, the first petitioner made application for renewal of the second petitioner's passport and since the same was not considered, the petitioners have filed this writ petition.
3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would submit that during the pendancy of this writ petition, the first respondent has passed an order on 22.11.2021 stating that the application seeking renewal of passport has been filed by the person who is not a legal guardian and hence the application is rejected.
4.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would further submit that this Court may permit Stevhen/ maternal uncle of the second petitioner, to make fresh application seeking renewal of the second petitioner's passport, on behalf of the second petitioner's grandmother with authorisation letter of Singapore Embassy and issue direction to the respondent to consider the said application and to pass appropriate orders within a reasonable time frame.
5.The learned counsel appearing for the respondents raise no serious objection for this Court considering the request made by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners. 6.Considering the request made by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, this Court, permits Stevhen/ maternal uncle of the second petitioner, to make fresh application seeking renewal of the second petitioner's passport, on behalf of the second petitioner's grandmother with appropriate affidavit, authorisation letter of Singapore Embassy and other requirements, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
7.Since there is no relatives available in Chennai to take care of the second petitioner, the first respondent shall consider the application to be made for renewal of the second petitioner's passport and pass appropriate orders, without insisting on technicalities, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of such application.
8.The writ petition is accordingly disposed of. No costs. Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CS-IX) //True copy// Sub Assistant Registrar
pri To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Passport Office, 26, Shastri Bhavan, Haddows Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006.
2.The Superintendent Passport Office, No.1, Bhanumathi Ramakrishna Road, Bharani Colony, Vijayaraghavapuram, Saligramam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu - 600 093.
+3ccs to Mr.P.Saranath, Advocate SR.No.61784 W.P.No.14204 of 2021 NMI(CO) GMY(13/12/2021)