Ramesh v. The Regional Passport Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 12.09.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.P.No.26667 of 2024 and WMP.No.29188 of 2024 Ramesh ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Regional Passport Officer, Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, Regional Passport Office, Old No.785, New No.158, Anna Salai Chennai-2.

2. The Inspector of Police, B-3 Taluk Police Station, Kancheepuram.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the impugned letter of the first respondent dated 11.05.2023 in letter Ref. No.SCN/314803815/23 quash the same and consequently, direct the first respondent to regularise the freshly issued passport bearing No.X8702936 dated 10.05.2023.

For Petitioner :

Mr.P.Pugalenthi For Respondents :

Mr.R.K.Gandhi R1 Mr.L.Baskaran, GA (Crl side) R2

O R D E R

By consent of both the parties, the writ petition is taken up for final

disposal at the time of admission stage itself.

2. The Writ Petition has been filed seeking to quash the impugned letter of the first respondent dated 11.05.2023 in letter Ref. No.SCN/314803815/23 quash the same and consequently, direct the first respondent to regularise the freshly issued passport bearing No.X8702936 dated 10.05.2023.

3. It is the grievance of the petitioner that the petitioner is a passport holder. For renewal of passport, he made an application on 01.05.2023 to the first respondent. The first respondent has rejected the petitioners application on the ground that there is a criminal case pending against the petitioner, for which, the petitioner has sent his reply. Till date, the first respondent has not sent any reply and no action is taken. To conclude the proceedings, the petitioner filed the present writ petition.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that this Court may issue a direction to the first respondent to consider the petitioner's application and pass appropriate orders by concluding the proceedings within the stipulated time as fixed by this Court.

5. On the other hand, the learned Standing Counsel submitted that the first respondent will be considered the application of the petitioner and appropriate orders will be passed on merits within the time frame to be fixed by this court.

6. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents and perused the materials available on record.

7.Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and having regard the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side, the first respondent is directed to conclude the proceedings on merits and in accordance with law, after providing opportunity to the petitioner within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

8.With the above direction, the writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 12.09.2024 rli Index : Yes/No

M.DHANDAPANI,J rli To

1. The Regional Passport Officer, Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, Regional Passport Office, Old No.785, New No.158, Anna Salai Chennai-2.

2. The Inspector of Police, B-3 Taluk Police Station, Kancheepuram.

W.P.No.26667 of 2024 12.09.2024