IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.GIRI TUESDAY, THE 16TH JUNE 2009 / 26TH JYAISHTA 1931 WP(C).No. 16628 of 2009(W) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- UMMER KALLAI VALAPPIL MUHAMMED, S/O.MUHAMMED MUSLIAR,AGED 30 YEARS, KALLAI VALAPPIL HOUSE,VILLANNOOR, KARIKKAD,THRISSUR DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.BABU S. NAIR RESPONDENT(S): --------------- THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, PANAMPILLY NAGAR,COCHIN. ADV. SRI.P.PARAMESWARAN NAIR,ASST.SOLICITOR FOR R THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 16/06/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: V.GIRI, J ------------------- W.P.(C).16628/2009 -------------------- Dated this the 16th day of June, 2009 JUDGMENT Petitioner has applied for a passport, which has not been issued inter alia for the reason mentioned in Ext.P2 wherein it is stated that he is involved in Crime No.151/1998. The said crime was one of the cases forming part of Coimbatore blast case. Petitioner was found guilty and convicted for an offence punishable under Section 3(1) read with Section 25 of the Arms Act, and ultimately sentenced to undergo rigourous imprisonment for three years. Since the petitioner was under pre trial detention for 9 years, the period of sentence was set off against the period of under trial detention and he is now free. According to the petitioner, the only reason contained in Ext.P2 is therefore, not adequate to deny him a passport. 2. Passport as such has not been rejected by the respondent. A decision will have to be taken in W.P.(C).16628/2009 2 accordance with law. In the circumstances, petitioner shall appear before the respondent and produce the details regarding Crime No.151/1998. Petitioner shall be heard and a final decision shall be taken by the respondent in terms of the provisions of Section 6 of the Passport Act, within one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Writ petition is disposed of as above. V.GIRI, Judge mrcs