Syed Samsudeen.A v. The Passport Officer

1 W.P.(MD)NO.28284 of 2022 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 06.01.2023

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN W.P.(MD)No.28284 of 2022 A.Syed Samsudeen ... Petitioner Vs.

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

2.The Commissioner of Police, O/o. the Commissioner of Police, Madurai City.

3.The Inspector of police, O/o. The Inspector of Police, K.Pudur Police Station, Madurai City.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the first respondent to reissue a passport with additional pages valid for a period of 10 years from the date of issuance.

1/ 4

2 W.P.(MD)NO.28284 of 2022 For Petitioner : Mr.S.M.A.Jinnah For R1 : Mr.L.Victoria Gowri Deputy Solicitor General of India For R2 : Mr.B.Thanga Aravindh Government Advocate(Crl.side) * * *

O R D E R

Heard the learned counsel on either side.

2.The only request made by the petitioner is that re-issuance of passport additional pages. All the pages in the petitioner's passport has been exhausted. The petitioner's passport is valid up to the year 2028. The first respondent is not processing the petitioner's application on account of the implication of the petitioner in a criminal case. 3.When notice was ordered, the learned Government Advocate appearing for the State police, clarified that the petitioner is involved in two cases. In one case namely Crime No.143 of 2021, registered on the file of the K.Pudur Police Station, the petitioner had already appeared before the Lok Adalat and paid the fine and closed the matter. Another case in Crime No.142 of 2021, registered on the file of the K.Pudur 2/ 4

3 W.P.(MD)NO.28284 of 2022 police station, according to the police, is still pending. The learned counsel for the petitioner would point out that the issue has been compromised.

4.Be that as it may, the petitioner is not asking for issuance of new passport. He is only asking for additional pages. This request cannot be denied. The first respondent is therefore, directed to re-issue passport to the petitioner along with additional pages for the validity period. This exercise shall be done immediately without delay. 5.Accordingly, this Writ Petition is allowed. No costs. 06.01.2023 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No pnn 3/ 4

4 W.P.(MD)NO.28284 of 2022 G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

pnn To:

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

2.The Commissioner of Police, O/o. the Commissioner of Police, Madurai City.

3.The Inspector of police, O/o. The Inspector of Police, K.Pudur Police Station, Madurai City.

W.P.(MD)No.28284 of 2022 06.01.2023 4/ 4