P.Ravi v. The Regional Passport Officer
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 30.04.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY P.RAVI ... Petitioner Vs 1.
THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, CHENNAI ROYALA TOWERS, NO. 2 AND 3, IV FLOOR, OLD NO. 785, NEW NO. 158, ANNA SALAI, CHENNAI -600 002.
2.
THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, TIRUCHIRAPALLI MUNICIPAL COMPLEX, THILLAINAGAR, 7TH CROSS, TRICHY - 620 018.
3.
THE STATE REP. BY INSPECTOR OF POLICE, CCIW PERAMBALUR, PERAMBALUR DISTRICT.
4.
THE STATE REP. BY INSPECTOR OF POLICE, MAGALAMEDU POLICE STATION, PERAMBALUR DISTRICT.
... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the second respondent to consider the petitioner online Passport Application Vide TR2074173997322, on the file of second respondent.
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For Petitioner : Mr.P.Govindarajan For R1 & R2 : Mr.R.Sanjay Central Government Standing Counsel For R3 & R4 : Dr.C.E.Pratap Government Advocate (Crl.Side)
ORDER
The prayer in the writ petition is to direct the second respondent to consider the petitioner's online Passport Application vide No. TR2074173997322.
2. Upon hearing Mr.P.Govindarajan, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, Mr.R.Sanjay the learned Central Government Standing Counsel appearing for the first and second respondents, Dr.C.E.Pratap, the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the third and fourth respondents and perusing the material records of the case, it can be seen that upon receipt of an adverse police report, the petitioner's request to renew the passport was not acceded to.
3. It can be seen that a case in Crime No. 1 of 2020 was registered 2/5
against the petitioner, which is now pending as C.C.No.37 of 2022 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate Court No. 1, Perambalur. Yet another case was also registered against the petitioner in Crime No. 240 of 2023, which is now pending as C.C. No. 115 of 2024 before the District Munsif Cum Judicial Magistrate at Kunnam, Perambalur.
4. It is now clear by virtue of the Hon'ble Division Bench judgment of this Court in Regional Passport Officer v. Samsudeen Mohamed Salih (W.A.No. 902 of 2023) that the pendency of the criminal case is not a bar for renewing or issuing the passport itself. However, the concerned individual has to take permission from the Court before leaving abroad.
5. In view thereof, this writ petition is disposed of on the following terms:- (i) The petitioner's passport application No. TR2074173997322 shall be considered dehors the pendency of the above criminal cases and if the petitioner is eligible, the passport shall be issued. (ii) The above exercise shall be carried out within a period of two 3/5
weeks from the date of receipt of the web copy of the order. (iii) The petitioner shall take the permission of the Judicial Magistrate Court No. 1, Perambalur in C.C. No.37 of 2022 and District Munsif Cum Judicial Magistrate at Kunnam, Perambalur in C.C.No. 115 of 2024 before leaving abroad. No costs.
30.04.2025 nsl To 1.
THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, CHENNAI ROYALA TOWERS, NO. 2 AND 3, IV FLOOR, OLD NO. 785, NEW NO. 158, ANNA SALAI, CHENNAI -600 002.
2.
THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, TIRUCHIRAPALLI MUNICIPAL COMPLEX, THILLAINAGAR, 7TH CROSS, TRICHY -620 018.
3.
THE STATE REP BY INSPECTOR OF POLICE, CCIW PERAMBALUR, PERAMBALUR DISTRICT.
4.
THE STATE REP BY INSPECTOR OF POLICE, MAGALAMEDU POLICE STATION, PERAMBALUR DISTRICT.
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D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
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