Prabhu v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :26.03.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN G.Prabhu ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Madurai.

2.The Inspector of Police, Koodankulam Police Station, Tirunelveli District.

... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus to direct the first respondent to return the passport of the petitioner in Passport No.B7205422 which was surrendered by the petitioner on 28.12.2023 forthwith by considering the representation of the petitioner dated 17.02.2024.

For Petitioner : Mr.G.Aravinthan For Respondents : Mr.A.Srinivasan for R1 1/5

Mr.A.Albert James, Government Advocate (crl.side) for R2

ORDER

Heard both sides.

2.The petitioner seeks issuance of passport. He has submitted an application before the jurisdictional passport officer. Apprehending that it may not be processed in view of his involvement in a criminal case, the present writ petition came to be filed.

3.When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) submitted that the criminal case registered against the petitioner is pending at the FIR stage. 4.It is well settled that when the case is pending only at the FIR stage, there is no impediment for the Regional Passport Officer to grant relief.

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5.The petitioner has to appear before the jurisdictional police and file an affidavit indicating his contact details. The petitioner apart from furnishing his residential address must also give his WhatsApp mobile number, e-mail ID. This is because, if any adverse final report is filed and the same is also taken on file by the jurisdictional criminal court, it should be possible to serve summons on the petitioner with the available details. The petitioner shall give an undertaking that the prosecution initiated against him will not be stalled on account of his absence from India. He should undertake that summons can be served on him through E-mail/WhatsApp. If necessary, the petitioner will have to execute a special vakalat in future so that he can be represented by his counsel in the proceedings in terms of Section 205 of Cr.P.C. 6.

Upon the passport authority being satisfied that such an undertaking affidavit has been filed before the jurisdictional police, the jurisdictional Regional Passport Officer shall process the petitionmentioned application and issue passport subject to fulfilment of the other usual formalities.

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7.This writ petition is allowed on these terms. No costs. 26.03.2024 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No Skm To:- 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Madurai.

2.The Inspector of Police, Koodankulam Police Station, Tirunelveli District.

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G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

Skm 26.03.2024 5/5