BIMAL ROY C.V. Vs. THE PASSPORT OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Sri.M.R.Sudheendran, the learned counsel appearing for the appellant/writ petitioner. Also heard the learned Central Government Counsel appearing for the respondents.

(2.) The writ petitioner was an accused in a criminal case and he filed Cr.M.P.No.770 of 2018 in S.C.No.710 of 2015 where the learned II Additional Sessions Judge, Ernakulam issued certain directions on release of the passport to the accused as he has to effect a short travel to the United Arab Emirates, in connection with his professional engagement. The learned Judge directed release of the passport on executing a bond for Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh Only) and the holder of the passport was required to return back the passport within 90 days of the date of such release. However, in the meantime, the validity of the passport had expired and accordingly, the petitioner applied for renewal before the first respondent but the request was not considered by the Passport Officer.

(3.) Aggrieved by the inaction of the Authorities, the appellant filed W.P.(C)No.15794 of 2018 where the learned single Judge considered the Ext.P2 order of the learned II Additional Sessions Judge, Ernakulam and ordered that if the petitioner prefers an application, the Passport Issuing Authority should renew the passport of the petitioner as directed in the Ext.P2 order, confining the passport validity to a limited period of three months.