M.R.Prasanna v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 27.03.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and W.M.P.(MD).No.6771 of 2024 M.R.Prasanna ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ulaveethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625002.

2.The Inspector of Police, B1- L&O Police Station, Melur Taluk, Madurai District.

... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records on the file of the 1st respondent in connection with the impugned clarification letter issued by him vide his proceedings in letter Ref.No. SCN/316703729/24 dated 05.01.2024 and quash the same as illegal and arbitrary and consequently direct the 1st respondent to issue fresh passport based on the Lost Document Report dated 06.12.2023 issued by the 2nd respondent as well as representation dated 04.01.2024 within the time limit that may be stipulated by this Court.

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For Petitioner : Mr.S.P.Naveenkumar For R-1 : Mr.M.Karthikeyavenkatachalapathy For R-2 : Mr.A.Albert James Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

ORDER

Heard both sides.

2. The petitioner challenges the impugned letter dated 05.01.2024 issued by the first respondent seeking certain clarifications. It is not necessary to interfere with the said notice.

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.

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. 2/5

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 petition-mentioned application and issue passport subject to fulfilment of the other usual formalities. This Writ Petition is allowed on these terms. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition stands closed. 27.03.2024 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No Lm 3/5

To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ulaveethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625002.

2.The Inspector of Police, B1- L&O Police Station, Melur Taluk, Madurai District.

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G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

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