IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN WEDNESDAY, THE 20TH AUGUST 2008 / 29TH SRAVANA 1930 WP(C).No. 25137 of 2008(P) ------------------------------------ PETITIONER: ------------------- N.C.PRADEEP, AGED 37 YEARS, S/O.CHAKKAN, NEDUMPULLY HOUSE, PONJANAM, THRISSUR DT. BY ADV. SRI.V.M.KRISHNAKUMAR ADV. P.M. ANITHA RESPONDENTS: ---------------------- REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, KOCHI. BY SRI. PARAMESWARAN NAIR, ASST. SOLICITOR GENERAL ADV. SRI.JOMY GEORGE, C.G.C. FOR R1 THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 20/08/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S.SIRI JAGAN, J ================== W.P(C)No.25137 of 2008 ================== Dated this the 20th day of August, 2008. J U D G M E N T The petitioner is aggrieved by Ext.P3 notice of the Regional Passport Officer, Cochin, whereby the petitioner has been directed to show cause why the petitioner's passport should not be impounded since a criminal case is pending against him which, fact the petitioner has not disclosed while seeking reissue of the passport. Against the same the petitioner has filed Ext.P4. The petitioner seeks expeditious disposal of the proceedings evidenced by Exts. P3 and P4. 2. I have heard the Central Government Counsel appearing for the respondent also. In the facts and circumstances of the case, I dispose of this writ petition with a direction to the respondent to pass final orders pursuant to Ext.P3 after considering Ext.P4 reply submitted by the petitioner, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment, after affording an opportunity of being heard to the petitioner. S.SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE rhs