Padma v. The Regional Passport Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 05.09.2024 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Writ Petition No.26198 of 2024 and W.M.P.No.28667 of 2024 Padma ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer, O/o. The Regional Passport Office, Rayala Towers, No.2 & 3, IV Floor, New No.158, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

2.The Inspector of Police, G3, Kilpauk Police Station, Chennai.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to issue a passport to the petitioner with the validity of 5 years or more on the petitioner's application dated 11.08.2024 bearing Application Reference No.24-1009976857 and file No.MA2076859353524. For Petitioner :

Mr.R.Murali For Respondents :

Mr.R.Sidharth, CGSC for R1 :

Mr.L.Baskaran, Government Advocate (Crl.side) for R2 Page No.1 of 6

O R D E R

The petitioner has filed this petition seeking a direction to the first respondent to issue a passport to the petitioner with the validity of 5 years or more on the petitioner's application dated 11.08.2024 bearing Application Reference No.24-1009976857 and file No.MA2076859353524.

2. The case of the petitioner is that she has a differently abled child viz., Chetan Korada and for his treatment, the petitioner has applied for a temporary passport to visit Malaysia, since her passport got expired on 25.01.2020. However, her passport was not renewed by the authorities concerned. Hence, she filed a writ petition in W.P.No.23520 of 2023 and this Court vide its order dated 11.08.2023 directed the respondents therein to issue temporary passport. In compliance of the same, the respondents issued a passport having validity till 13.06.2024. On expiry of the said passport, the petitioner made fresh application dated 11.08.2024 for issuance of renewed passport. But, the respondents refused to issue passport and directed the petitioner to get directions from this Court. Hence the present petition.

3. Though very many grounds have been raised in this Writ Petition, Page No.2 of 6

learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that, it would suffice, if this Court issues direction to the respondents to consider the petitioner's application dated 11.08.2024 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a particular time frame to be fixed by this Court.

4. The learned standing counsel appearing for the first respondent has no objection for the said order being passed by this Court.

5. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials placed on record.

6. Taking into consideration the factual aspects of the matter, this Court without going into the merits of the case, directs the first respondent to consider the petitioner's application dated 11.08.2024 and pass appropriate order on merits and in accordance with law, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner as well as aggrieved persons if any, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

7. With the above observation and direction, this Writ Petition is Page No.3 of 6

disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is also closed.

05.09.2024 RAP Index :

Yes/No Speaking Order :

Yes/No :

Yes/No To:

1.The Regional Passport Officer, Page No.4 of 6

O/o. The Regional Passport Office, Rayala Towers, No.2 & 3, IV Floor, New No.158, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

2.The Inspector of Police, G3, Kilpauk Police Station, Chennai.

M.DHANDAPANI,J.

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