R DHANDAPANI Vs. REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS writ petition has been preferred by the petitioner for a direction on the first respondent to issue the passport bearing No.S36833 in favour of the petitioner immediately for his higher studies.

(2.) ON instructions, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the first respondent submits that the passport has been forwarded but, in transit, it has been lost. She submits that in view of the Circular No.VI/401/57/93 dated 11th January, 1995 issued by the Director (PV), Ministry of External Affairs, (CPV Division), the post office, which confirms that the passport is lost or untraceable, should issue a certificate to that effect to the petitioner. Thereafter, the petitioner should file an FIR with such certificate.

(3.) THE Circular referred to by the learned counsel for the first respondent reads as follows:-