Simranjit Kaur Minor Through His Natural Guardian Mother v. The Regional Passport Office, Jalandhar

-1- (Through Video Conferencing)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT

CHANDIGARH **** Date of Decision: 08.01.2025 Simranjit Kaur (minor) through her natural guardian, Mother ....Petitioner

Versus

The Regional Passport Office, Jalandhar ....Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARSH BUNGER Present :

Mr. Bhawesh Chaudhary, Advocate for the petitioner (through video conferencing). Mr. Satya Pal Jain, Additional Solicitor General of India with Ms. Shreyansi Verma, Central Govt. Counsel for respondent-Union of India.

*** HARSH BUNGER, J. (Oral) The instant Writ Petition has been filed under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India inter alia seeking issuance of a writ in the nature of Mandamus for directing the respondent to issue fresh passport of the petitioner (minor), which has been applied by her mother on 06.11.2024. 2.

Mr. Satya Pal Jain, Additional Solicitor General of India, who has appeared on behalf of the respondent-Union of India, pursuant to the advance copy of petition having been sent to the Union of India, handed over a copy of letter dated 07.01.2025, issued by the Government of India,

-2Ministry of External Affairs, Regional Passport Office, Jalandhar to the petitioner. The relevant extract thereof reads as under: "This office is in receipt of Civil Writ Petition filed by you the Petitioner Simranjit Kaur d/o Amandeep Singh R/o Village Talwandi Pain, PO Khera Dona, Kapurthla for issuance of passport in absentia of father's consent on the subject cited above.

In this regard, upon perusal of the documents submitted by you, it is revealed that you had submitted an Affidavit dated 09.11.2024 stating that the father/mother is separated and no court case is pending before the court regarding marital/divorce dispute/custody of child or/and instead of ANNEXURE 'C', which is a prescribed ANNEXURE for a single parents when one parent has not given consent.

You are, therefore, advised to see the RPO, Jalandhar during any working day between 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon with ANNEXURE 'C'. A copy of ANNEXURE 'C' is enclosed in anticipation so that your passport application dated 07.11.2024 for issuance of passport can be decided as per law." 3.

Learned senior counsel appearing for the respondent-Union of India submits that in terms of the aforesaid letter, the petitioner would be required to fill in the form Annexure 'C', which is attached with the aforesaid letter dated 07.01.2025. It is further submitted that in case the said form is filled up and submitted to the Regional Passport Office, Jalandhar, the same would be considered in accordance with law. 4.

In view of the submissions made by learned senior counsel for the respondent-Union of India, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that he may be permitted to withdraw the instant writ petition so as to take further action in terms of the aforesaid letter dated 07.01.2025. 5.

Keeping in view the above, the present petition is dismissed as

-3withdrawn with liberty aforesaid.

6.

All pending application(s), if any, shall also stand closed. 08.01.2025 (HARSH BUNGER) Himani JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned:

Yes/No Whether reportable:

Yes/No