R.Jeeva v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.04.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE VIVEK KUMAR SINGH R.Jeeva ... Petitioner -vs1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Madurai Bharathi Ula Street, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625002.

2.The Inspector of Police, Kundrakudi Police Station, Kundrakudi, Sivagangai District.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records relating to the impugned letter in Ref No.SCN/321242361/25 dated 06.03.2025 passed by the first respondent and quash the same and consequently, direct the first respondent to allow petitioner's application and renewal of petitioner's Passport No.M0780996.

For Petitioner : Mr.P.Venkatesan

For R1 : Mr.R.Saravanakumar Central Government Standing Counsel For R2 : Mr.K.Gnanasekaran Government Advocate (Criminal side)

ORDER

Heard both sides.

2. The petitioner seeks to set aside the impugned letter of the first respondent, dated 06.03.2025 and to issue 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 (Criminal Side) appearing for the second respondent submitted that a criminal case has been registered against the petitioner in Crime No.252 of 2022 for the offences under Sections 279 and 337 of I.P.C., on the file of the second respondent and the same has culminated in laying a charge sheet in C.C.No.1480 of 2022 before the Judicial Magistrate Court, Karaikudi, Sivagangai District.

4. In view of the above said submissions, the petitioner is given liberty to move the trial Court for the relief now sought for. As and when such miscellaneous petition is filed, 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 the relief. Of course, the period of validity of passport will have to be restricted. It is also open to the learned 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 228 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, 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 petitionmentioned application in terms of the said order.

6. This Writ Petition is disposed of accordingly. There shall be no order as to costs.

NCC : Yes / No 29.04.2025 Index : Yes / No smn2 To:- 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Madurai Bharathi Ula Street, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625002.

2.The Inspector of Police, Kundrakudi Police Station, Kundrakudi, Sivagangai District.

VIVEK KUMAR SINGH , J.

smn2 29.04.2025