MANOHAR Vs. REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, REGIONAL OFFICE, TIRUCHIRAPPALLI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Petitioner has prayed for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to renew his passport No.H2734058 and his application file No.TR1074818063322 dtd. 29/11/2022 within a stipulated time based on the representation dtd. 20/12/2023.

(2.) Heard Mr. N.Jothivel, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, Mr. H. Lakshmishankar learned Central Government Standing Counsel appearing for the first respondent and Mrs. M.Aasha, learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) appearing for the second respondent.

(3.) The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner has applied for renewal of his passport on 2/7/2018 before the first respondent. However, the first respondent did not renew the same and they sent a reply to the petitioner on 31/12/2018 stating that a criminal case is pending. He would further submit that the petitioner has been implicated as an accused in Crime No.52 of 2011 for the offences under Ss. 448, 352, 336, 324, 326, and 506(ii) IPC on the file of the Vattathikottai Police Station. In this case, charge sheet has also been filed before the Judicial Magistrate, Pattukkottai and the same was taken on file in C.C.No.587 of 2012 and the same was transferred to the Fast Track Court, Pattukkottai and renumbered as C.C.No.330 of 2022. The said case was continuously adjourned. Since the petitioner is having school going children, to meet out their educational expense, he has decided to go to abroad. Hence, again on 29/11/2022, he has applied to the first respondent for renewal of his passport and the same has not been considered. Hence, the petitioner has filed the present petition.