SHABU KOTTOLI PARAMBIL ADIMAIKUTTY Vs. REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Challenging two separate orders passed by the respondent dated 05.10.2018, the petitioner is before this Court with these writ petitions.

(2.) Heard Mr.S.Haja Mohideen Gisthi, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner and Mr.J.Madhanagopal Rao, learned Central Government Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent.

(3.) The petitioner, who claims to be a businessman, submitted online application for a new passport through a Travel Agent, as the entries were made in all the pages of his previous passport. The petitioner was given passport bearing No.A 4461563 on 16.03.2018. Subsequently, the petitioner received a letter dated 01.06.2018 from the respondent stating that there was an adverse police verification report and thus, he was called upon to give explanation for suppressing a criminal case, which was registered against him and pursuant to filing of charge sheet pending before the Judicial Magistrate, Alandur, in C.C.No.199 of 2017 and also to show cause as to why action should not be taken to impound the passport and the proceedings under Sec. 1(1)(b) of the Passport Act, 1967 should not be initiated. The petitioner submitted his explanation on 10.06.2018. At that time, he was asked by the officials of the respondent not to use the passport provided to him.