Murugan v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 24.01.2025

CORAM:

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

1. The Regional Passport Officer, Office of the Regional Passport Officer, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625002.

2. The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

3. The Inspector of Police, District Crime Branch, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to issue passport to petitioner in passport application file No.MD1077175721124 dated 03.12.2024 submitted by petitioner and issue passport to petitioner in accordance with law within the time stipulated by this Court.

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For Petitioner : Mr.S.Ramesh Kumar For R-1 : Mr.A.P.Raja Simman Central Government Standing Counsel For R-2 : Mr.K.Gnanasekaran Government Advocate (Crl. side)

ORDER

Mr.A.P.Raja Simman, learned Central Government Standing Counsel takes notice for the first respondent and Mr.K.Gnanasekaran, learned Government Advocate takes notice for the second respondent. By consent of both the parties, this writ petition is taken up for final hearing at the admission stage itself.

2. This writ petition is filed to direct the 1st respondent to issue passport to the petitioner based on his application for issuance of Indian Passport dated 03.12.2024 in File No.MD1077175721124.

3. Heard the learned counsels on either sides and carefully perused the materials available on record.

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4. The petitioner has made an application in File No.MD1077175721124, seeking issuance of a passport. While so, on receipt of adverse police verification report, the first respondent had issued show cause notice dated 13.12.2024, directing him to appear before the authority seeking explanation regarding the cases registered against him in Crime No.27 of 2022 on the file of the 2nd respondent police. Hence, the Writ Petition is filed, to direct the first respondent to issue the passport to the petitioner.

5. It is a settled proposition of law that a mere pendency of FIR cannot be a bar for consideration of claim for issuance of passport. This Court in the case of W.Jaihar William Vs State of Tamil Nadu reported in 2014 (2) CWC 684 has held that mere pendency of FIR cannot be construed as pendency of criminal proceedings, unless Judicial Magistrate takes cognizance of offence, on filing of charge sheet on completion of investigation against the accused. Right to travel abroad is a fundamental right.

6. In view of the same, the first respondent is hereby directed to consider the application of the petitioner to re-issue his passport without reference to the FIRs lodged against him, if he is otherwise eligible for the same. The first respondent shall comply with the said direction on merits and in accordance 3/5

with law within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

7. With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands allowed. There shall be no order as to costs.

24.01.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No jbr TO:-

1. The Regional Passport Officer, Office of the Regional Passport Officer, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625002.

2. The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

3. The Inspector of Police, District Crime Branch, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

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L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

jbr Order made in Dated 24.01.2025 5/5