Madras High CourtWP/19878/2023disposed of

Ravichandran v. The Regional Passport Officer

2023-07-06Honourable Mr Justice N. Seshasayee4 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 06.07.2023

CORAM

MR.JUSTICE N.SESHASAYEE Mr.Ravichandran ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer Office of the Regional Passport Office Chennai Royala Towers, No.2 & 3 IV Floor, Old No.785, New No.158 Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002 2.State Rep. by the Inspector of Police Kandili Police Station Tirupattur Taluk, Vellore 635 601 ... Respondents PRAYER: The writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1st respondent to consider the petitioner's passport renewal application No.MA51C5065283522 dated 29.08.2022 and consequentially direct the 1st respondent to pass orders on renewal of the passport on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 24.04.2023 in accordance with law. 1/4

For Petitioner : Mr.A.Arfat Mohammed For Respondents : Mr.K.Gangadaran CGC for R1 Mr.C.Kathiravan Special Government Pleader for R2

ORDER

By consent, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

2.The petitioner has applied for renewal of his passport vide his application dated 24.04.2023 but it is not considered by the authority concerned. The learned counsel made a fair statement that after applying for the renewal of the passport it has come to light that he has been arrived as an accused in Crime No.93 of 2020 before Vellore Police Station under Section 430 I.P.C. and 21(1) of Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957. Relying on the judgment of the Division Bench of this Court in W.A.(MD).No.301 of 2018, dated 27.03.2018 in Arumugam V. the Regional Passport Officer, the learned counsel submitted that mere pendency of an F.I.R. cannot be a ground to deny renewal of passport. 2/4

3.Mr.K.Gangadaran, the learned CGC takes notice for the 1st respondent and Mr.C.Kathiravan, the learned Special Government Pleader takes notice for the 2nd respondent.

4.The 1st respondent is now directed to hold an enquiry and take into consideration the judgment of the Division Bench of this Court in W.A.(MD).No.301 of 2018, dated 27.03.2018 in Arumugam V. the Regional Passport Officer and decide the issue within a period of four (4) weeks. 5.This writ petition stands disposed of accordingly. No costs. 06.07.2023 kas To 1.The Regional Passport Officer Office of the Regional Passport Office Chennai Royala Towers, No.2 & 3 IV Floor, Old No.785, New No.158 Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002 3/4

N.SESHASAYEE, J.

kas 2.State Rep. by the Inspector of Police Kandili Police Station Tirupattur Taluk, Vellore 635 601 06.07.2023 4/4