Devi Priya, v. The Regional Passport Officer,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

Dated : 23.01.2018

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.RAVICHANDRABAABU WP.No.1331 of 2018 Devi Priya Daughter of Murugesan ... Petitioner Vs.

The Regional Passport Officer Rayala Towers - 4th Floor Chennai-600 002.

... Respondent Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for the issuance of writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to renew / reissue the passport of the petitioner on the petitioner's application No.MA.1070853652718. For Petitioner : Mr.T.Sai Krishnan For Respondents: Ms.G.Hema Central Government Standing Counsel

O R D E R

Ms.G.Hema, learned Central Government Standing Counsel takes notice for the respondent. By consent of the parties, the main writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

2. The petitioner seeks for a mandamus directing the respondent to renew / reissue the passport of the petitioner, based on his application No.MA.1070853652718.

3. It is stated that the petitioner is a holder of the passport issued by the respondent in the year 2000 and the same was renewed in the year 2008 bearing Passport No.Z1741510 valid upto 09.03.2018. It is also stated that the petitioner made an application seeking for renewal / reissue of the passport on 11.01.2018 and the said application is still pending without consideration. Therefore, the petitioner filed the present writ petition seeking for mandamus, as stated supra.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner invited this Court's attention to the Token N 273 issued by the respondent indicating that the petitioner's application for renewal is put https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

on hold. Therefore, he submitted that unless an order is passed by the respondent, the petitioner's further travel schedule cannot be fixed.

5. Considering the above stated facts and circumstances, without expressing any view on the merits of the claim made by the petitioner, this writ petition is disposed of, only with a direction to the respondent to pass orders on the application of the petitioner for renewal / reissue of the passport on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. s/d- Assistant Registrar(CS IV) True Copy Sub-Assistant Registrar mk To The Regional Passport Officer Rayala Towers - 4th Floor Chennai-600 002.

+1 CC to Mr.T.Sai Krishnan, Advocate sr 5181.(25/01/2018) +1 CC to Ms.G.Hema, Advocate sr 5186(25/01/2018) Writ Petition No.1331 of 2018 SP(24/01/2018) https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/