M.Silambarasan v. The Regional Passport Officer
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 10.09.2024
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI M.Silambarasan
...Petitioner
Vs.
1.
The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, 2nd Floor, Corporation Commercial Complex, 7th Cross Street, West Thillai Nagar, Tiruchirappalli - 620 018.
2.
The Inspector of Police, Kammapuram Police Station, Villupuram.
...Respondents
Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent to consider petitioner's representations made in the letter dated 30.07.2024 and to direct the respondent to process petitioner application made in TR1067927253114 dated 02.07.2024 for renewal of passport in accordance with law. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Selvam For Respondents : Mr.K.B.Arul, for R1 : Mr.L.Baskaran, GA (Crl.Side), for R2 1/5
O R D E R
This Writ petition has been filed seeking direction to the respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 30.07.2024 and to consequently process the petitioner's application made in TR1067927253114 dated 02.07.2024 seeking renewal of passport.
2. Mr.K.B.Arul, learned counsel takes notice on behalf of the 1st respondent. Mr.L.Baskaran, learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) takes notice on behalf of the 2nd respondent. In view of the consent expressed by the learned counsel on either side, this Writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
3. The case of the petitioner is that, the petitioner applied for passport in the year 2014 and also obtained passport bearing No.M2835749 dated 07.10.2014 and as the same gets expired on 06.10.2014, the petitioner submitted his application for renewal of his passport on 02.07.2024 through online in file No.TR1067927253114. Pursuant to the same, the petitioner received a clarification letter dated 24.07.2024 stating that the petitioner suppressed the fact that a criminal case was pending against him. Upon 2/5
receipt of the said clarification letter, the petitioner sent a detailed representation dated 30.07.2024 and also sent a reply on 02.08.2024 to the 1st respondent with regard to the status of the above said criminal case, which evoked no response. Hence, this Writ petition.
4. Though very many grounds have been raised, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that it would suffice if this Court issues direction to the 1st respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 30.07.2024 and also his reply dated 02.08.2024 and to consequently process the petitioner's application made in TR1067927253114 dated 02.07.2024 for renewal of his passport as expeditiously as possible.
5. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respective respondents submitted that, appropriate orders will be passed on the petitioner's representation dated 30.07.2024 within the time stipulated by this Court.
6. In view of the aforesaid submissions, this Court without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case directs the 1st respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 30.07.2024 and also the reply dated 3/5
02.08.2024 on merits and in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after affording an opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner and aggrieved persons, if any.
7. With the above directions, this Writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.
10.09.2024 skt NCC : Yes/ No Speaking Order : Yes/ No Index : Yes/ No To 1.
The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, 2nd Floor, Corporation Commercial Complex, 7th Cross Street, West Thillai Nagar, Tiruchirappalli - 620 018.
2.
The Inspector of Police, Kammapuram Police Station, Villupuram.
4/5
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
skt 10.09.2024 5/5