Madhar Bathur Jaman v. The Chief Commissioner Of Customs (Preventive)

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 28-07-2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE N. ANAND VENKATESH Madhar Bathur Jaman Petitioner(s) Vs 1.The Chief Commissioner of Customs (Prevention) No.1, Williams Road, Cantonment, Trichy 620 001.

2.The Custom Assistant commissioner Coimbatore International Airport Peelamedu, Coimbatore 641 012 3.S.K.Sivakumar 4.Josemeen Latha Respondent(s) [R1, R3 and R4 are deleted from the array of the respondents vide order dated 28.07.2025 made in W.M.P.No.12840 of 2023 in W.P.No.2541 of 2023]

2/6 PRAYER Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 and 2 to consider the petitioner's representations dated on 22.04.2022, and considering, directing the First and Second respondents to handed over petitioner's passport vide number No.Z4851613, which was illegally detained by the first and second Respondents, and this petition may be considered in all seriousness.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.S.D.Mohammed Muthaqeem Raja For Respondent(s): Mr.S.R.Sundar Standing Counsel for R1 to R4

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed for issue of writ of mandamus directing the respondent to deal with the representation made by the petitioner on 22.04.2022, wherein, the petitioner is seeking for returning back his passport.

3/6 2.When the writ petition was taken up for hearing today, the learned Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the Customs Department submitted that the petitioner was intercepted in the International Airport, Coimbatore and a surprise check was conducted. The petitioner was found in possession of various goods without declaring the same. Hence, an inventory was taken and the petitioner's passport was also secured. While so, the petitioner left the place without informing the authorities. In view of the same, the respondent has handed over the passport to the Regional Passport Officer, Chennai. The communication dated 26.05.2023 made to the Regional Passport Officer was also placed before this Court.

3.In the light of the above development, the relief as sought for by the petitioner cannot be granted by this Court. It is left open to the petitioner to approach the Regional Passport Officer and seek for return of passport.

4/6 4.This writ petition is disposed of in the above terms. No Costs. 28-07-2025 (2/2) Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes ssr

5/6 To The Custom Assistant commissioner Coimbatore International Airport, Peelamedu, Coimbatore 641 012.

6/6 N.ANAND VENKATESH J.

ssr 28-07-2025 (2/2)