J.Adel v. Assistant Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated:11.12.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE G.JAYACHANDRAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN WA(MD)No.2165 of 2023 and C.M.P(MD)Nos.17333 and 19115 of 2023 J.Adel ... Petitioner/Appellant Vs.

1.The Assistant Passport Officer, Regional Passport Officer, Passport Seva Kendra, Sai Arcade, Bengalure.

2.State rep by The Inspector of Police, Othakadai Police Station, Madurai.

(Crime No.16 of 2012) 3.The Inspector of Police, J1, Saidapet Police Station, (Law and Order) Chennai-600 018 4.Dr.Brathiba Sethuraman

...Respondents/Respondents

Prayer: Writ Appeal filed under Clause 15 of Letters Patent, against the order dated 22.11.2023 passed by this Court in W.P(MD)No.3962 of 2022. For Petitioners : Mr.P.Saravana For R1 : Mr.S.Pon Senthil Kumaran Special Government Pleader For R2 7 R3 : Mr.K.Gnana Sekaran Govt. Advocate(Crl.Side) *****

JUDGMENT

(Judgment of the Court was delivered by DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN,J.) The Writ petition was filed seeking Mandamus to the Assistant Passport Officer, Karnataka to revoke the Passport No.U1888127 issued to the fourth respondent by name Brathipa Sethuraman. 2.The learned single Judge, after going through the papers and recording the non-appearance of the petitioner, dismissed the writ petition on the ground that this Court has no territorial jurisdiction to entertain the prayer for the mandamus to the Assistant Passport Officer, Karnataka. Being aggrieved with the order of the learned single Judge, the writ petitioner has preferred the present writ appeal.

3.When the matter is taken up for final hearing today, the learned counsel appearing for the first respondent submitted that pursuant to the reports received about the suppressing of pendency of the criminal case, passport issued to Brathipa Sethuraman, fourth respondent herein, revoked vide order dated 03.03.2025. The issue had already been impounded, and therefore the action taken as per rule was unnecessary. The communication of the Deputy Passport Officer, at Bangalore reads as below: "5.The show-cause notice dated 11/02/2021, was issued to the passport holder. Respondent No.4 in this Writ Petition by Speedpost. e-mail and ordinary post. Since, Respondent No. 4 did not respond to the notice, vide order with reference No. 2100051 POL_BNG dated 26/03/2021, Passport No. U1888127 dated 03/12/2019, issued to Respondent No.

4 was impounded under Sections 10(3) (e) of the Passports Act, 1967. (ANNEXURE-R5) From the above, it can be summarized that the applicant had obtained Passport No. U1888127, by suppressing information that case(s) were pending against her. At a later stage when it was brought to the notice of the undersigned that the passport holder was involved in actions which attracts section 10 of the Passports Act, as required by rules, Respondent No. 1 issued a show-cause notice to hear the applicant's side.

sufficient time and since there was no response from her, the passport was impounded. The Passport still remains impounded as on date. No further passport details are available in the stem records. It is submitted that this office has already taken necessary action as per rules."

4.The said communication is self explanatory by impounding the passport of the fourth respondent, her movement beyond the territory of the India is now restricted. Therefore, the writ appeal has become intructuous. 5.In view of the above, this Writ Appeal stands dismissed as infructuous. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

[G.J., J.] & [K.K.R.K., J.] 11.12.2025 Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes Ns

To 1.The Assistant Passport Officer, Regional Passport Officer, Passport Seva Kendra, Sai Arcade, Bengalure.

2.State rep by The Inspector of Police, Othakadai Police Station, Madurai.

(Crime No.16 of 2012) 3.The Inspector of Police, J1, Saidapet Police Station, (Law and Order) Chennai-600 018

DR.

G. JAYACHANDRAN , J.

AND K.K. RAMAKRISHNAN, J.

Ns WA(MD)No.2165 of and C.M.P(MD)No.17333 of 2023 11.12.2025