Gurpreet Singh vs Union Of India And Others

Jagmohan Bansal, J

The petitioner through instant petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India is seeking direction to respondents No. 1 to 3 to issue him passport.

The petitioner applied for passport in the year 2016. He was embroiled in FIR No. 15 dated 06.03.2011, under Sections 302, 308, 307, 325, 323, 148, 149, 120-B of IPC, registered at Police Station Bareta, District Mansa. He was convicted vide judgment dated 03.05.2013 passed by Additional Sessions Judge, Mansa and was awarded life imprisonment.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner was convicted in the year 2013 i.e. more than five years back, thus, his case is squarely covered by judgment of this Court in Mohan Lal @ Mohna vs. Union of India and others 2023 SCC Online P&H 1391.

Notice of motion.

Ms. Ruchita Garg, Central Government Counsel for Union of India and Mr. Aman Dhir, DAG, Punjab, who on advance notice are present in Court, accept notice and waive service.

With the consent of both sides, the petition is taken up for final disposal today itself.

Ms. Ruchita Garg, Central Government Counsel submits that petitioner may be directed to appear before the passport authority alongwith requisite documents and the passport authority, thereafter, if his application is still pending, would pass an appropriate order after considering the afore-stated judgment within eight weeks.

Learned counsel for the petitioner agrees to the aforesaid arrangement.

In the wake of statement of both sides, the petition stands disposed of with a direction to petitioner to appear before the passport authority on 20.06.2024 alongwith requisite documents. On doing so, the passport authority would pass an appropriate order within eight weeks from 20.06.2024. It is made clear that in case the petitioner is issued passport, he will not leave country without seeking prior permission of Appellate Court.