GOKULESWARAN Vs. REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to issue a passport to the petitioner by processing his application dtd. 22/2/2024, based on his representation dtd. 9/10/2024.

(2.) The brief facts leading to the filing of this writ petition are as follows:

(3.) The first respondent, in the counter affidavit, stated that the petitioner, while applying for the passport, had enclosed his Transfer Certificate, +2 Mark Sheet, Birth Certificate, and Aadhaar Card. However, an adverse police verification report was received from the second respondent, describing the petitioner as "Suspect in Sri Lankan." It is further contended that the petitioner did not furnish sufficient documents to prove his Indian citizenship by birth. During the enquiry, the petitioner admitted that his parents had migrated to India in 1983. Nevertheless, the first respondent verified the petitioner's birth certificate with the Tiruchirappalli City Municipal Corporation, which confirmed that the certificate was true and genuine. Despite this verification, the second respondent reiterated the adverse report, stating that the petitioner's parents are of Sri Lankan nationality, and therefore, the petitioner is ineligible for an Indian passport.