Silambarasan v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 12.05.2023

CORAM

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

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

2.The Inspector of Police, Gandarvakottai Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

3.The Secretary, Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

...Respondents

(R-3 is suo motu impleaded vide Court order dated 12.05.2023 in W.P. (MD).No.11293 of 2023) Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1st respondent herein to renewal the petitioner Passport No.L2567489 in File No.BA1074881224323 and ARN No.23200699892 within the time stipulated by this Court.

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For Petitioner : Mr.B.Santhanam Rajesh Kumar For R-2 : Mr.M.Senthil Ayyanar Government Advocate.

For R-1 & R-3 : Mr.S.Pon Senthil Kumaran Standing Counsel.

ORDER

Heard the learned counsel on either side.

2. The writ petitioner is now working at Bahrain as labourer. The validity of his passport is likely to expire on 23.06.2023. The petitioner wants renewal of his passport. He has moved the Indian Embassy at Bahrain. On account of the involvement of the petitioner in a criminal case, the embassy officials are declining to renew the petitioner's passport. That led to filing of this Writ Petition.

3. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Government Advocate appearing for the second respondent clarifies that the criminal case against the petitioner is pending at the FIR stage.

4. Therefore, there is no impediment for renewing the petitioner's passport. The passport was obtained by the petitioner from the first respondent. 2/4

In view of the petitioner's presence at Bahrain, the Consulate General of Indian Embassy, Bahrain is very well competent to renew the passport. That is why the third respondent has been impleaded as a respondent. The first respondent herein will inform the Consulate General of Indian Embassy at Bahrain about passing of this order so as to facilitate the renewal of the petitioner's passport. This Court is mindful of the fact that if the petitioner's passport is not renewed in time, he may face unpleasant consequences at Bahrain. Therefore, the petitioner's passport shall be renewed well before the expiry date.

5. This Writ Petition is allowed accordingly. There shall be no order as to costs.

12.05.2023 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No Lm/Rmi 3/4

G.R.SWAMINATHAN , J.

Lm/Rmi To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar 7th Cross, Trichy.

2.The Inspector of Police, Gandarvakottai Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

3.The Secretary, Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

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