VARADI SITARAMBABU SATYAM Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner seeks a Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of respondent in raising objection vide Letter in Reference No.OBJ/310218699/20, dated 30.09.2020, for re-issuance of passport bearing No.M9770151 filed by the petitioner vide application No.VS1073008325920, dated 09.09.2020, without any valid ground in spite of issuing legal notice, dated 13.10.2020, as illegal, arbitrary and un-constitutional and consequently set-aside the objection of the respondent dated 30.09.2020 and direct him to reissue the passport.

(2.) The petitioner's case succinctly is thus: The petitioner is a Merchant Navy Engineer working at Visakhapatnam and on account of his job he use to travel across the globe for selling the merchant ships. Hence, the passport issued by the respondent is being renewed from time to time, latest passport bearing No.M9770151 was issued to him by the respondent on 10.07.2015, which is valid up to 09.07.2025. However, in view of the frequent travels, the leaves in his passport book were totally exhausted. The petitioner's last travel was to the Republic of Ghana, which was permitted from 21.07.2020 to 20.10.2020.

(3.) Heard Sri N.Ravi Prasad, learned counsel for the petitioner, and Sri N.Harinath, learned Assistant Solicitor General, appearing for the respondent.