Riyas Mohammed v. The Regional Passport Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 11.09.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Riyas Mohammed ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer, Office of Regional Passport, Chennai Royala Towers, No.2 & 3, IV Floor, Old N.785, New No.158, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

2.The Superintendent of Customs, Prosecution (Air), Chennai.

3.The Inspector of Police, B-1, North Beach Police Station, Chennai.

... Respondents Prayer:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent reissuance of petitioner's passport with fresh pages bearing Application reference No.MA1075320665723 on 02.05.2023 within the time stipulated by this Hon'ble Court.

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For Petitioner : Mr.A.Sathiya Prakash For Respondent : Mr.G.Baskaran for R1 Mr.L.Baskaran for R3 Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

O R D E R

Mr.G.Baskaran, learned counsel takes notice on behalf of the first respondent, Mr.L.Baskaran, learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) takes notice on behalf of the third respondent. Since this Court is not inclined to pass any adverse order as against the second respondent, notice to the second respondent is dispensed with. By consent, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

2.The petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to re-issue petitioner's passport with fresh pages bearing Application reference No.MA1075320665723 on 02.05.2023 within the stipulated time frame.

3.The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner's passport expired and hence he made application to the respondent seeking to 2/4

re-issue the passport with fresh pages and since the same has not yet been considered, has filed this writ petition. 4.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that without going into the merits of the case, this Court may issue direction to the first respondent to consider the petitioner's application vide reference No.MA1075320665723 and to pass appropriate orders, within a reasonable time frame.

5.Considering the limited request made by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, this Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, directs the first respondent to consider the petitioner's application vide reference No.MA1075320665723, on merits and in accordance with law and to pass appropriate orders, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

6.This writ petition is accordingly disposed of. No costs. 11.09.2024 pri Speaking Order/ Non Speaking Order Index: Yes/ No 3/4

Internet: Yes/ No M.DHANDAPANI,J.

pri To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Office of Regional Passport, Chennai Royala Towers, No.2 & 3, IV Floor, Old N.785, New No.158, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

2.The Superintendent of Customs, Prosecution (Air), Chennai.

3.The Inspector of Police, B-1, North Beach Police Station, Chennai.

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