Mohamedali Jinna v. The Regional Passport Officer
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 22.07.2024
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and W.M.P(MD)No.14213 of 2024 Mohamedali Jinna ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Tiruchirappalli New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar 7th Cross, Trichy - 620 018.
2.The Inspector of Police, Aranthangi Police Station, Pudukottai District.
3.The Inspector of Police, Thirugokarnam Police Station, Pudukottai District.
... Respondents Prayer: Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned communication sent by the first respondent in his proceedings "Nil" dated 28.06.2024 and quash the same as illegal consequently directing the first respondent to issue passport to the 1/5
petitioner on the basis of the petitioner's application dated 04.12.2023 pending in File No. TR2066026668123 before the first respondent by accepting his explanation within a time frame. For Petitioner : Mr.T.Lenin Kumar For Respondents : Mr.K.Govindarajan Deputy Solicitor General of India for R.1 Mr.A.Albert James Government Advocate (Criminal Side) for R.2 & R.3
ORDER
Heard both sides.
2.The petitioner seeks issuance of 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) submitted that the criminal case registered against the petitioner is pending at the FIR stage. 2/5
4.It is well settled that when the case is pending only at the FIR stage, there is no impediment for the Regional Passport Officer to grant relief.
5.The petitioner has to appear before the jurisdictional police and file an affidavit indicating his contact details. The petitioner apart from furnishing his residential address must also give his WhatsApp mobile number, e-mail ID. This is because, if any adverse final report is filed and the same is also taken on file by the jurisdictional criminal court, it should be possible to serve summons on the petitioner with the available details. The petitioner shall give an undertaking that the prosecution initiated against him will not be stalled on account of his absence from India. He should undertake that summons can be served on him through E-mail/WhatsApp. If necessary, the petitioner will have to execute a special vakalat in future so that he can be represented by his counsel in the proceedings in terms of Section 205 of Cr.P.C. 6.Upon the passport authority being satisfied that such an undertaking affidavit has been filed before the jurisdictional police, the jurisdictional Regional Passport Officer shall process the petition3/5
mentioned application and issue passport subject to fulfilment of the other usual formalities.
7.This writ petition is allowed on these terms. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
22.07.2024 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No MGA To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Tiruchirappalli New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar 7th Cross, Trichy - 620 018.
2.The Inspector of Police, Aranthangi Police Station, Pudukottai District.
3.The Inspector of Police, Thirugokarnam Police Station, Pudukottai District.
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G.R.SWAMINATHAN,J.
MGA 22.07.2024 5/5