Madras High CourtWP(MD)/13102/2022allowed

Muthupandi v. The Regional Passport Officer

2022-06-24Honourable Mr Justice G.R.Swaminathan2 pages

W.P(MD)No.13102 of 2022 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 24.06.2022

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN W.P(MD)No.13102 of 2022 Muthupandi ... Petitioner Vs.

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

2.The Inspector of Police, B4, Kottampatti Police Station, Melur - 635 1003, Madurai.

... 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 1st respondent to issue passport to the petitioner by considering his application dated 20.04.2022 in File No.MD1074138077322. For Petitioner :

Mr.A.V.Arun For Respondents :

Mr.L.Victoria Gowri, Assistant Solicitor General for R1 Mr.M.Ramesh Arumugam, Government Advocate for R2.

ORDER

Heard the learned counsel on either side.

2.The petitioner was holding an Indian passport. He seeks renewal of the same. Since the petitioner got involved in a criminal case, the first respondent did not process the petitioner's application. It is now stated by the learned Government Advocate for the second respondent that the criminal case is pending only at the FIR stage. It has been held time and again that pendency of a criminal case at the FIR stage cannot be an impediment for processing the petitioner's request for issuance of passport. Therefore, the first respondent is directed to issue passport to the https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 1/2

W.P(MD)No.13102 of 2022 petitioner by considering the petition mentioned application subject to fulfilment of other formalities.

3.The writ petition is allowed accordingly. No costs. Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CS-II) // True Copy // /07/2022 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) ias To:- 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Street, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625 002.

2.The Inspector of Police, B4, Kottampatti Police Station, Melur - 635 1003, Madurai.

3. The Assistant Solicitor General of India, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

+1 CC to M/s.SPL.GP ( SR-28203[F] dated 27/06/2022 ) W.P(MD)No.13102 of 2022 24.06.2022 sg(CO) TR(05.07.2022) 2P 5C https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 2/2