Madras High CourtWP(MD)/20682/2022allowed

Karthik.P v. The Regional Passport Officer

2022-09-02Honourable Mr Justice G.R.Swaminathan4 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 02.09.2022

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN P.Karthik ... Petitioner Vs 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Tiruchirappalli, New Municipal Complex, Thillai Nagar 7th Cross, Tiruchirappalli - 620 018.

2.The Inspector of Police, Thirugokarnam Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to issue Additional Passport Book to the Petitioner by considering his passport application in No.TR2074474096722 dated 05.08.2022 on the file of the first respondent by considering the representation given by the petitioner dated 25.08.2022.

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For Petitioner : Mr.R.Maheswaran For R-1 : Mrs.L.Victoria Gowri, Assistant Solicitor General of India.

For R-2 : Mr.R.Sivakumar, Government Advocate (Criminal Side).

ORDER

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Assistant Solicitor General of India appearing for the first respondent and learned Government Advocate appearing for the second respondent.

2. The petitioner is the holder of the Indian Passport. The passport pages have already been exhausted. He therefore wants additional passport book to be issued. He had given a representation in this regard. The first respondent citing the pendency of a criminal case against the writ petitioner had put the said petition on hold. That lead to filing of this Writ Petition.

3. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Government Advocate appearing for the second respondent submitted that the case against the writ petitioner is pending only at the F.I.R stage. This cannot be an impediment.

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4. I therefore direct the first respondent to process the petition mentioned application and issue additional passport book to the writ petitioner subject to the fulfilment of the usual formalities.

5. This Writ Petition is allowed accordingly. No costs. 02.09.2022 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No Nsr To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Tiruchirappalli, New Municipal Complex, Thillai Nagar 7th Cross, Tiruchirappalli - 620 018.

2.The Inspector of Police, Thirugokarnam Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

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G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

Nsr 02.09.2022 4/4