IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.GIRI TUESDAY, THE 4TH AUGUST 2009 / 13TH SRAVANA 1931 WP(C).No. 21450 of 2009(A) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------------ MATHEW KURUVILA, S/O.KURUVILA KOLLAMPARAMBIL, KANNENKARA HOUSE, KARAPUZHA P.O., KOTTAYAM. BY ADV. MR. K.M.VARGHESE RESPONDENT: -------------------- THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, COCHIN, PASSPORT OFFICE BUILDING, PANAMPALLY NAGAR, KOCHI, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT. ADV. MR. K.SANIL KUMAR, ADDL.CGSC THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 04/08/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: V.GIRI,J. ------------------------- W.P ( C) No.21450 of 2009 -------------------------- Dated this the 4th August,2009 J U D G M E N T Petitioner is a holder of an Indian Passport. It currently has a duration up to 22.1.2018. Proceedings have been initiated by the respondent as evidenced by Ext.P5 for impounding of the passport. The allegation is that the petitioner did not disclose the pendency of a criminal case against him for an offence under the Forest Act. Petitioner submits that the said proceedings in O.R 5/2008 has been challenged before this Court. This Court has stayed further proceedings in O.R 5/2008 of Forest Station, Placheri. He therefore contends that proceedings for impounding of the passport is misconceived and unjustified. 2. A statement has been filed on behalf of the respondent wherein, it is mentioned that the petitioner did not reveal the pendency of O.R No.5/2008, in the application submitted before the Passport Officer. It is therefore that steps have been taken for impounding the passport. 3. It is open to the respondent to complete the W.P ( C) No.21450 of 2009 2 proceedings initiated under Ext.P5. Passport is a valuable document in so far as a citizen is concerned. Therefore, further proceedings initiated pursuant to Ext.P5 shall be completed within one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Petitioner shall be heard before such proceedings are finalised. Petitioner shall appear before the Passport Officer as and when directed by him. The actual surrender of the passport as directed under Ext.P5, shall abide by the final orders to be passed by the respondent, as directed above. If the respondent seeks to proceed against the petitioner under Section 10 of the Passport Act on the ground that there is a material suppression of a fact by the petitioner, then a fresh show cause notice is to be issued to the petitioner in this regard. In such circumstances, the proceedings as directed above, should be completed within six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Writ petition is disposed as above. (V.GIRI,JUDGE) ma W.P ( C) No.21450 of 2009 3 W.P ( C) No.21450 of 2009 4