Madras High CourtWP/15540/2025disposed of

Gopinath v. The Regional Passport Officer

2025-06-02Honourable Mr Justice N. Anand Venkatesh4 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 02.06.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH Gopinath S/o.Vijayan Petitioner Vs 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Ministry of External Affairs, Chennai 600 002.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Kallakurichi District, Kallakurichi.

3.The Inspector of Police, Thirunavalur Police Station, Kallakurichi District.

Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to issue passport to the petitioner on his application pending in file No.MA51C5002617324 dated 25/01/2024 on the file of the first respondent within a time fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Subash For Respondents : Mr.R.Sanjay Central Government Standing Counsel [R1] Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam Government Advocate [Crl.side] [R2 & R3] ***** 1/4

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the first respondent to deal with the application submitted by the petitioner on 25.01.2024 wherein the petitioner has sought for issuance of passport in his name.

2. Heard Mr.M.Subash, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr.R.Sanjay, learned Central Government Standing Counsel appearing for first respondent and Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, learned Government Advocate [Crl.side] appearing for respondents 2 and 3.

3. Learned Central Government Standing Counsel appearing for first respondent submitted that there is an adverse report against the petitioner since a First Information Report is pending investigation on the file of the third respondent in Crime No.2148 of 2020.

4. In the considered view of this Court, mere registration of a First Information Report and pendency of investigation by itself is not a ground to deny issuance of passport. The issue is no longer res integra and it is covered by the earlier orders passed by this Court. Useful 2/4

reference can be made to the judgment in W.A.No.902 of 2023, dated 02.06.2023 [The Regional Passport Officer v. Samsudeen Mohamed Salih and another].

5. In view of the above, there shall be a direction to the first respondent to process the application submitted by the petitioner and the passport shall be issued to the petitioner if the petitioner satisfies all the other requirements and mere pendency of First Information Report cannot be put against the petitioner. This process shall be completed by the first respondent within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

This writ petition is disposed of with the above direction. No costs.

02.06.2025 Index: Yes/no Speaking Order/Non-Speaking Order gm 3/4

N.ANAND VENKATESH, J gm To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Ministry of External Affairs, Chennai 600 002. 2.The Superintendent of Police, Kallakurichi District, Kallakurichi.

3.The Inspector of Police, Thirunavalur Police Station, Kallakurichi District.

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