SONAMUTHU Vs. REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Writ Petition is filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to issue passport to the Petitioner on the basis of the application dtd. 2/8/2022 pending in File No.TR2074457632922 before the first respondent by accepting the Petitioner's explanation, within the time frame fixed by this Court.

(2.) Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials placed before this Court.

(3.) The case of the Petitioner is that the first respondent had issue a passport to the Petitioner in Passport No.H8661634 and the said passport expired on 19/8/2020 and hence the Petitioner applied for renewal of passport before the first respondent in application number as stated above.On police verification, it was found that the petitioner is connected with a case in Crime No.305 of 2021 under Sec. 294(b), 323 and 506(ii) of IPC and the same is pending.The said criminal case is yet to be charge sheeted. In the meanwhile, the first respondent sought for explanation from the Petitioner and also to furnish the proof of clearance of the case. Accordingly, on 16/9/2022 the Petitioner sent his explanation stating that only FIR is pending against him.However being not satisfied with the same, the first respondent refused to issue passport to the Petitioner. Hence the Petitioner has come forward with the present Writ Petition for the relief stated supra.