Santhana Gopalan Vaidyanathan v. Union Of India

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 08.10.2025

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Santhana Gopalan Vaidyanathan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.Union of India, Ministry of External Affairs, Regional Passport Office, Chennai-600 002.

2.The Appellate Passport Authority, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the second respondent to dispose of the Appeal No.APLMA20009622 as the time fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner :

Mr.K.V.Sajeevkumar For Respondents :

Mr.K.Balaji, GA (Crl. Side)

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the second respondent to dispose of the Appeal No.APLMA20009622 within a time frame as fixed by this Court.

2. Heard Mr.K.V.Sajeevkumar, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.K.Balaji, learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing on behalf of the respondents. With the consent of both sides, this Writ Petition is taken up for hearing at the admission stage itself.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that there may be a direction to the respondents to dispose of the appeal filed by the petitioner.

4. Considering the limited scope of prayer sought for by the petitioner in this Writ Petition, this Court directs the concerned respondent to dispose of the appeal filed by the petitioner in Appeal No.APLMA20009622 on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of 12 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of.

There shall be no orders as to costs.

08.10.2025 Index: Yes/No NCC : Yes/No Order : Speaking/Non Speaking DP To 1.Union of India, Ministry of External Affairs, Regional Passport Office, Chennai-600 002.

2.The Appellate Passport Authority, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

M.DHANDAPANI.J, DP 08.10.2025