Ramkumar v. The Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 07.01.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI Ramkumar ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar 7th Cross, Trichy-620 018.

2. The Inspector of Police, Vattathikottai Police Station, Thanjavur District.

... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to issue a passport to the petitioner based on his application No. TR1064775231522 within a time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.M.Karunakaran For Respondents : Mr.K.Kuttalanathan (R1) Central Government Standing Counsel Mr.K.Gnanasekaran (R2) Government Advocate 1/6

ORDER

The prayer in the Writ Petition reads as follows:- "To issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to issue a passport to the petitioner based on his application No. TR1064775231522 within a time stipulated by this Court."

2. The petitioner made an application, seeking for issuance of passport by producing all necessary documents. The first respondent issued a communication dated 15.03.2024 directing him to appear before the authority seeking explanation about the case registered against him in Crime No.286 of 2018 on the file of the 2nd respondent police. Hence, the petitioner filed this writ petition seeking for the aforesaid relief.

3. When the matter is taken up for hearing, the learned Government Advocate (Crl.) appearing for the respondent police on instructions would submit that criminal case in Crime No.286 of 2018 on the file of the 2nd respondent police has culminated in laying charge sheet in FR-219/2018ORIGINAL before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Pattukottai. 2/6

4. Heard the learned counsel on either side and carefully perused the entire materials available on record.

5. The petitioner is given liberty to move the learned Judicial Magistrate, Pattukottai, for the relief now sought for. As and when such miscellaneous petition is filed, it shall be numbered and disposed of within a period of three weeks thereafter. The learned Trial Judge shall bear in mind that right to travel abroad is a fundamental right and the petitioner's career and avocation may be at stake, if he is denied the right to go abroad. Therefore, the learned Trial Court, unless there are extraordinary circumstances, shall not deny such relief. Of course, the period of validity of passport will have to be restricted. It is also open to the learned Trial Judge to stipulate appropriate conditions to ensure that the prosecution is not stalled on account of the petitioner's absence in India. If necessary, the applicant can be directed to file an application under Section 228 of Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, by executing a special vakalat.

6. Based on the order passed by the learned Trial Court, the petitioner shall move the jurisdictional Regional Passport Officer, who shall dispose of the petition~mentioned application in terms of the said order. 3/6

7. This Writ Petition is allowed on these terms. There shall be no order as to costs.

07.01.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Sm 4/6

TO:-

1. The Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar 7th Cross, Trichy-620 018.

2. The Inspector of Police, Vattathikottai Police Station, Thanjavur District.

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L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

Sm Order made in Dated 07.01.2025 6/6