Sargunan v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 29.04.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN W.P.(MD)No.9933 of 2024 Sargunan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Madurai, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625 002.

2.The Inspector of Police, Aravayal Police Station, Sivagangai.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to renew the petitioner's Passport No.L7141247 by processing the petitioner's Application in File No.MD5075903358723 within a time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.L.Romeo Roy Alfred For Respondents : Mr.B.Narayan Ram for R.1 1/4

Mr.A.Albert James Government Advocate (Criminal Side) for R.2

ORDER

Heard both sides.

2.The petitioner was holding an Indian passport. He seeks renewal of the same. 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 (Criminal Side) submitted that the criminal case registered against the petitioner has since been charge sheeted and it has been taken on file in C.C.No.17 of 2018 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.1, Devakottai.

4.The petitioner is given liberty to move the trial Court for the relief now sought for. As and when such miscellaneous petition is filed, 2/4

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. The petitioner's career and avocation may be at stake if he is denied the right to go abroad. Therefore, the trial Court unless there are extraordinary circumstances shall not deny relief. Of course, the period of validity of passport will have to be restricted. It is also open to the trial Judge to stipulate appropriate conditions to ensure that the prosecution is not stalled on account of the petitioner's absence from India. If necessary, the applicant can be directed to file an application under Section 205 of Cr.P.C by executing a special vakalat. 5.Based on the order passed by the 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. 6.This writ petition is disposed of accordingly. There shall be no order as to costs.

29.04.2024 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No MGA 3/4

G.R.SWAMINATHAN,J.

MGA To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Madurai, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625 002.

2.The Inspector of Police, Aravayal Police Station, Sivagangai.

Copy to The Judicial Magistrate No.1, Devakottai.

W.P.(MD)No.9933 of 2024 29.04.2024 4/4