1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION (L) NO.134 OF 2009 Mr. Suresh Mahadeo Pal. .. Petitioner Vs. Union of India & Ors. .. Respondents -- Shri P.R. Yadav for the Petitioner. Shri H.K. Vardhan with Shri V.B. Tiwari for Respondent No.1. Ms Uma Palsule-Desai, AGP for the State. -- CORAM : SWATANTER KUMAR, C.J. & DR. D.Y. CHANDRACHUD, J DATED : 20TH FEBRUARY, 2009. P.C. We have heard learned Counsel appearing for the parties. 2. This Petition raises a challenge to the letter dated 26th November, 2006 issued by the Passport Authorities. In fact, this Petition would have been pre-mature for all purposes when learned Counsel appearing for the Union of India submits that after issuance of this letter, they have already passed an order on 30th January, 2009 in terms of Section 10 of the Passports Act, 1967 wherein it has been decided that the passport of the Petitioner has been revoked/impounded. This order is appealable before the Competent Authority in terms of Section 11 of the said Act. 2 3. Learned Counsel appearing for the Petitioner contended that earlier a notice has been sent to the Petitioner which mentioned a wrong number of passport of the Petitioner and thereafter a notice/letter dated 26th November, 2008 was issued to the Petitioner. But the Petitioner filed a present Writ Petition and did not file a proper reply before the Competent Authority which has resulted in passing of the order dated 30th January, 2009. 4. In these circumstances, we dispose of this Writ Petition with liberty to the Petitioner to file an appeal, if he so desires, against the order dated 30th January, 2009 within a period of two weeks from today. If such an appeal is filed by the Petitioner, the same would not be dismissed on the ground of limitation, keeping in view the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case and the fact that the Petitioner was pursuing his remedy before this Court. If such an appeal is filed, the same shall be decided by the concerned Authority expeditiously. In the event, no appeal is filed within a period of two weeks from today, the order dated 30th January, 2009 passed by the 3 Competent Authority shall stand confirmed and advantage of this order will not be available to the Petitioner. No order as to costs. CHIEF JUSTICE DR. D.Y. CHANDRACHUD, J