Madras High CourtWP(MD)/16316/2025disposed of

Jeniston v. The Passport Officer

2025-06-18Honourable Mr Justice C. Saravanan5 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 18.06.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN Jeniston ... Petitioner /vs./ 1.The Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai 625 002.

2.The Inspector of Police, Pazhavoor Police Station, Tirunelveli District.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, forbearing the 1st respondent from impounding the petitioner passport bearing No.C6218570 by considering the petitioner representation dated 12.06.2025.

For Petitioner : Mr.V.Sukumar For R1 : Mr.P.M.Vishnuvarthanan CGSC 1/5

For R2 : Mr.M.Vaikkam Karunanithi Government Advocate (Crl.side)

ORDER

Mr.P.M.Vishnuvarthanan, learned Central Government Standing Counsel takes notice for the first respondent and Mr.M.Vaikkam Karunanithi, learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) takes notice for the second respondent. 2.The writ petition has been filed for a Mandamus, forbearing the first respondent from impounding the petitioner passport bearing No.C6218570 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 12.06.2025. 3.It is informed that pursuant to the FIR registered in Crime No.240 of 2018, dated 09.11.2018, under Sections 294(b), 323 and 506(1) of Indian Penal Code, 1860, a charge sheet has been laid by the second respondent before the Judicial Magistrate Court, Valliyoor, but the same has not been taken on file. 4.The petitioner has applied for renewal of the passport, which expired earlier. However, the respondents have kept the file pending, in view of the provisions of the Passports Act, 1967.

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5.Having considered the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, learned Central Government Standing Counsel for the first respondent and the learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) for the second respondent, there shall be a direction to the petitioner to surrender the passport before the Judicial Magistrate Court, Valliyoor, within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. In case, the petitioner wants to travel abroad, the petitioner may move suitable application for the same, which shall be considered and disposed of on merits and in accordance with law by the said Court. The second respondent is also directed to take steps to have the charge sheet filed taken on file before the Judicial Magistrate Court, Valliyoor. 6.With the aforesaid directions, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.

Index : Yes / No 18.06.2025 Internet : Yes / No mm 3/5

To The Inspector of Police, Pazhavoor Police Station, Tirunelveli District.

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C.SARAVANAN, J.

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