Murugiah v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 06.12.2024

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI Murugiah ... Petitioner Vs.

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

2. The Inspector of Police, Boiler Plant Police Station, Trichy District - 620 014.

... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to grant renewal of passport to the petitioner by considering the petitioner's representation dated 25.11.2024.

For Petitioner : Mr.S.Subathira For Respondents : Mr.S.Muthukumar (R1) Central Government Standing Counsel Mr.K.Gnanasekaran (R2) Government Advocate (Crl. side) 1/6

ORDER

The prayer in the Writ Petition reads as follows:- "To issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to grant renewal of passport to the petitioner by considering the petitioner's representation dated 25.11.2024."

2. The petitioner is the holder of passport No.M1412232, which was expired on 22.08.2024. On 02.11.2024, the petitioner made an application, seeking renewal of passport by producing all necessary documents. The first respondent issued a communication dated 19.11.2024 directing him to appear before the authority seeking explanation about the case registered against him in Crime No.90 of 2017 on the file of the 2nd respondent police. Hence, the petitioner filed this writ petition seeking for the aforesaid relief.

3. When the matter is taken up for hearing, the learned Government Advocate (Crl.) appearing for the respondent police on instructions would submit that criminal case in Crime No.90 of 2017 has culminated in laying charge sheet in CC No.655 of 2021 before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.VI, Trichy.

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4. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, the learned Standing Counsel for the 1st respondent, the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondent police and carefully perused the entire materials available on record.

5. The petitioner is given liberty to move the learned Judicial Magistrate No.VI, Trichy, for the relief now sought for. As and when such miscellaneous petition is filed, it shall be numbered and disposed of within a period of three weeks thereafter. The learned Trial Judge shall bear in mind that right to travel abroad is a fundamental right and the petitioner's career and avocation may be at stake, if he is denied the right to go abroad. Therefore, the learned Trial Court, unless there are extraordinary circumstances, shall not deny such relief. Of course, the period of validity of passport will have to be restricted. It is also open to the learned Trial Judge to stipulate appropriate conditions to ensure that the prosecution is not stalled on account of the petitioner's absence in India. If necessary, the applicant can be directed to file an application under Section 228 of Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, by executing a special vakalat. 3/6

6. Based on the order passed by the learned Trial Court, the petitioner shall move the jurisdictional Regional Passport Officer, who shall dispose of the petition~mentioned application in terms of the said order.

7. This Writ Petition is allowed on these terms. There shall be no order as to costs.

06.12.2024 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Sm 4/6

TO:-

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

2. The Inspector of Police, Boiler Plant Police Station, Trichy District - 620 014.

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L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

Sm Order made in Dated:

06.12.2024 6/6