IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.GIRI THURSDAY, THE 13TH AUGUST 2009 / 22ND SRAVANA 1931 WP(C).No. 20957 of 2009(L) ------------------------------------ PETITIONER(S): ------------------------- SHAFEEK KHALID KUNJU, CHAKKALAYIL PUTHEN VEEDU, PALACKAL,THEVALAKKARA P.O., KARUNAGAPPALLY,KOLLAM-24. BY ADV. MR.C.RAJENDRAN RESPONDENT(S): ---------------------------- THE PASSPORT OFFICER, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA,MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, PASSPORT OFFICE,KAITHAMUKKU,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-24. ADV.MR.A.D.RAVENDRA PRASAD, CGC FOR THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 13/08/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: V.GIRI,J. ------------------------- W.P ( C) No.20957 of 2009 -------------------------- Dated this the 13th August,2009 J U D G M E N T Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the respondent. 2. Petitioner applied for a passport. On 14.10.2008 he was issued a letter stating that police authorities have, on verification, reported that crime No.214 of 2008 has been registered against him in the Sasthamkotta Police Station. The said crime has been registered against 14 persons for the offences punishable under Section 143, 147, 427, 447 and 294B r/w 149 I.P.C. It seems that after taking note of the registration of the crime, passport has been actually issued to the petitioner. But the passport was issued with a validity of one year. 2. It is in these circumstances, petitioner has approached this Court praying for the following relief: “i. To issue a writ in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction compelling and commanding respondent to extent the period of Ext.P3 passport upto 10 years or in the alternative to issue new passport for a period of 10 years to the W.P ( C) No.20957 of 2009 2 petitioner within a time fixed by this Hon'ble Court.' 3. Passport for a period of one year may not really serve the purpose of a person who is aspiring for employment. It might be sufficient for the limited purpose of travel. Therefore the petitioner may approach the respondent again with a request for issuing a passport with a validity for at least five years and if such request is made, it shall be dealt with, in accordance with law and orders passed within a period of three weeks from the date on which such application is filed. Writ petition is disposed of as above. (V.GIRI,JUDGE) ma W.P ( C) No.20957 of 2009 3 W.P ( C) No.20957 of 2009 4