T.Saravanan v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 03.10.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR T.Saravanan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar 7th Cross, Trichirappalli-620 018.

2.The Inspector of Police, Navalpattu Police Station, Navalpattu, Trichirappalli District.

3.Burueau of Immigration, No.26, Annexe, Haddawas Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.

(Shastri Bhavan) ... Respondents (R3 was impleaded vide order dated 26.09.2024) PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to return back the petitioner's passport in Passport No.H 7298318 which was impounded on 23.09.2019 in Chennai Airport issued by the first respondent on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 27.06.2024. 1/4

For Petitioner : Mr.A.Puratharadhasar For R3 : Mr.K.Maharajan Central Government Standing counsel For R1 : Mr.G.Rajaraman For R2 : Mr.M.Vaikkam Karunanithi Government Advocate (Crl.side)

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed to direct the first respondent to return the petitioner's passport in Passport No.H 7298318 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 27.06.2024.

2.The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner is working as a Welding Inspector at Bahrain and Qatar during the year 2010-2013. In the year 2014, one Millar Mandela was killed and the petitioner was implicated as first accused. In that case, the petitioner has been arrested and his passport has been impounded. The petitioner was acquitted from all charges in S.C.No.213 of 2019 on 25.02.2022 itself. However, the passport of the petitioner has not yet been released. Hence, the petitioner has filed this writ petition. 3.The learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) on instructions would submit that the case registered against the petitioner under Section 302 IPC in Crime No.5 of 2014 has been ended in acquittal on 25.02.2022 on the file of the III Additional Sessions Court, Trichy.

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4.In such view of the matter, the first respondent shall consider the representation of the petitioner and if the petitioner is acquitted from the criminal case, necessary orders shall be passed for releasing the passport of the petitioner within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5.With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 03.10.2024 NCC:yes/no Index:yes/no Internet:yes/no ta To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar 7th Cross, Trichirappalli-620 018.

2.The Inspector of Police, Navalpattu Police Station, Navalpattu, Trichirappalli District.

3.Burueau of Immigration, No.26, Annexe, Haddawas Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.

(Shastri Bhavan) 3/4

N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.

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