IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN MONDAY, THE 14TH JULY 2008 / 23RD ASHADHA 1930 WP(C).No. 17243 of 2008(C) PETITIONER: DR.V.R.SANAL KUMAR, S/O.V.N.RAGHAVA PANICKER, SCIENTIST/ENGINEER (FORMERLY), PROPULSION GROUP, VIKRAM SARABHAI SPACE CENTRE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 22 RESIDING AT: VALSALAYAM, AYROOR NORTH P.O. THIRUVALLA - 689 612. BY ADV. DR.K.P.KYLASANATHA PILLAY RESPONDENTS: 1. THE SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, C.P.V.DIVISION, PATIALA HOUSE ANNEXE, TILAK MARG, NEW DELHI - 110 001 2. THE CHIEF PASSPORT OFFICER, MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, C.P.V.DIVISION, PATIALA HOUSE ANNEXE, TILAK MARG, NEW DELHI. 3. THE CHAIRMAN, INDIAN SPACE RESEARCH ORGANISATION, NEW BEL ROAD, BANGALORE - 560 094. 4. THE SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, (ESTABLISHMENT SECTION) VIKRAM SARABHAI SPACE CENTRE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. KERALA - 695 022. 5. THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY ADV. SRI.P.PARAMESWARAN NAIR,ASST.SOLICITOR FOR R1 TO 3 THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 14/07/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS: W.P.C. NO. 17243/2008. --------------------------------------------------------------------- EXT.P1 TRUE COPY OF COMMUNICATION DT. 11-8-2007. EXT.P2 NOMINATION LETTER DT. 18-4-2008. EXT.P3 LETTER DT. 15-5-2008. EXT.P3 (a) TO (d). TRUE COPIES OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT CARDS. EXT.P4 REPRESENTATION DT. 1-6-2008. EXT.P4(a) POSTAL RECEIPTS. EXT.P5 JUDGMENT IN W.P.C.NO. 30969/2007. EXT.P6 I.A.NO. 14666/2007. [TRUE COPY] P.S TO JUDGE. S. Siri Jagan, J. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= W. P (C) No. 17243 of 2008 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dated this, the 14th July, 2008. J U D G M E N T The petitioner was an employee of the Indian Space Research Organisation. Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him. Pending such disciplinary proceedings, at the instance of the ISRO, the petitioner produced his passport, which was impounded by the 5th respondent. The petitioner submits that subsequently, the disciplinary proceedings resulted in dismissal of the petitioner from service and therefore there is no need to retain his passport any more and he petitioner wants to go abroad for attending a conference to which he has been invited, which is to commence on 21st July, 2008. 2. Learned Assistant Solicitor General would contend that it is not merely because of disciplinary proceedings the petitioner's passport was impounded, but, because of grounds of national security, since the petitioner had been dealing with sensitive information during his tenure in the Indian Space Research Organisation. In the above circumstances, the petitioner seeks a direction to the 3rd respondent to consider and pass orders on Ext. P4 representation filed by the petitioner. 3. Having heard both sides, I dispose of this writ petition with a direction to the 3rd respondent to consider and pass orders on Ext. P4 as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. The petitioner shall forward a certified copy of this judgment along with a copy of the writ petition to the 3rd respondent for compliance. Sd/- S. Siri Jagan, Judge. Tds/