Thirumurugan Packiri Rethinam Nalamaharajan v. The Regional Passport Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 21.08.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Thirumurugan Packiri Rethinam Nalamaharajan ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Chennai-600 002.

2.The Sub-Divisional Magistrate cum Collector, Karaikkal, Puducherry.

... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to direct the first respondent to revive the petitioner's passport application bearing file No.MAH 064707741922 dated 26th October 2022 and to provide with a passport within a justifiable time.

For Petitioner :

Mr.K.Kannadasan For Respondents :

Dr.D.Simon for R1 Mr.V.Vasantha Kumar Additional Government Pleader(P) for R2

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the first respondent to revive the petitioner's passport application bearing file No.MAH 064707741922 dated 26th October 2022 and provide a passport to the petitioner within a time fixed by this Court.

2. The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner applied for Passport through online on 09.05.2012 and he received a notice dated 14.12.2012, calling for clarification in respect of the criminal cases registered against him and the status of the case. He made clarification by submitting a reply letter dated 21.11.2013. In response to the said letter, the concerned Authority had issued a letter dated 03.12.2013 directing the petitioner to submit the certified copies of the Court order pertaining to the

disposal of the criminal case. Thereafter, the petitioner received a letter dated 25.02.2019 from the first respondent, wherein, it has been stated that his file was closed. Therefore, the petitioner has again applied for a fresh passport vide application bearing No.MAH 064707741922 dated 26.10.2022, however, the same has not been considered. Therefore, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition with the aforesaid prayer.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that it would suffice, if the first respondent is directed to dispose of the application of the petitioner, dated 26.10.2022, on merits and in accordance with law, within a specified period.

4. The learned counsel appearing for the first respondent has no serious objection for such an order being passed by this Court.

5. Considering the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the matter, directs

the first respondent to consider the application of the petitioner, dated 26.10.2022 and pass appropriate orders, on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

6. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

21.08.2024 NCC: Yes / No Index : Yes / No Speaking Order : Yes / No ssb To

1. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Chennai-600 002.

2.The Sub-Divisional Magistrate cum Collector, Karaikkal, Puducherry.

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

ssb 21.08.2024