Ajaypal Singh vs Union Of India And Ors
2024 Latest Caselaw 19582 P&H

Punjab-Haryana High Court

Ajaypal Singh vs Union Of India And Ors on 6 November, 2024

Author: Suvir Sehgal

Bench: Suvir Sehgal

                        CWP-29839-2024                              -1-


                                      IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT
                                                    CHANDIGARH

                        (114)
                                                                                     CWP-29839-2024
                                                                          Date of decision:- 06.11.2024

                        Ajaypal Singh                                             ... Petitioner
                                                              Versus
                        Union of India and others                                 ... Respondents

                        CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUVIR SEHGAL


                        Present:- Mr. Umesh Aggarwal, Advocate
                                  for the petitioner.

                                                ****
                        SUVIR SEHGAL, J. (ORAL)

1. By way of instant petition, petitioner has approached this Court

under Article 226 of the Constitution of India inter-alia for issuance of a

writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to consider his

application dated 11.03.2024, Annexure P-1, whereby he had applied for

issuance of a fresh passport.

2. Counsel for the petitioner submits that subsequent to the

submission of the application, Annexure P-1, petitioner appeared before the

authorities and submitted all the requisite documents, however, his

application is still pending. He submits that as per the information collected

by the petitioner through online portal, status of the application, Annexure

P-1, has been shown as "police verification report is not clear and

application is under review at passport office".

authenticity of this order/judgment

3. Advance copy of the petition has been served upon the

respondents.

4. Ms. Monica Chawla, Advocate has put in appearance on behalf of

respondents No.1 and 3 and Ms. Amrita Garg, AAG, Punjab has put in

appearance on behalf of respondent No.2. Counsel for respondents No.1

and 3 submits that by communication dated 31.07.2024, some clarification

has been sought from the Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, which has not

been received.

5. Be that as it may, application for issuance of passport cannot be

kept pending for months together. Merely addressing of a communication

by one department to another is no justification for not deciding the

application, Annexure P-1.

6. Keeping in view the mandate of Section 5 of the Passports Act,

1967, writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the Regional Passport

Officer, Amritsar-respondent No.3 to finally decide the application,

Annexure P-1, within a period of three months from the date of

communication of a copy of this order. In case, respondent No.3 finds that

the application has to be rejected, it shall pass an order assigning reasons

for rejection.

                                                                              (SUVIR SEHGAL)
                                                                                  JUDGE
                        06.11.2024
                        Kamal
                                      Whether Speaking/Reasoned              Yes/No
                                      Whether Reportable                     Yes/No






authenticity of this order/judgment