Petitioner is the holder of Indian Passport bearing No.F1128759 issued by the passport office, Kozhikode. It appears that Emigration Officer, Karipur Airport has detected that there is a tampering of date of birth in the passport. Thereupon, they forwarded this passport to the Sub Inspector of Police, Karipur Police Station. Petitioner approached this Court for revoking the earlier passport and to reissue fresh passport. According to the petitioner, the entry in the date of birth in the earlier passport is erroneous and he is entitled for a fresh passport.
2. Learned Assistant Solicitor General submits that the petitioner has to explain before the Passport Officer, Kozhikode the reasons for tampering the passport. On being satisfied with any explanation from the petitioner, appropriate decision will be taken by the Passport Officer thereafter. A statement has also been filed on behalf of the authorities.
3. Petitioner on the other side submits that he wants to cancel the earlier passport and he may be issued with a fresh passport.
W.P(C).No.27128 of 2014M 2
4. In view of the matter, petitioner can request for cancellation of earlier passport and file an application for issue of fresh passport. However, petitioner has to appear before the second respondent and seek cancellation. The second respondent shall take action to cancel the earlier passport. However, this will not preclude him from taking a decision in the matter if the petitioner suppressed the fact of tampering of the passport. A decision shall be taken by the second respondent within a period of three weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Based on the decision of the second respondent, petitioner shall approach the Passport Officer, Malappuram for applying for fresh passport. The Passport Officer, Malappuram shall consider the application for fresh passport only based on the decision of the second respondent.
The Writ Petition is disposed of as above.
Sd/-
A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE, JUDGE.
Sbna/10/11/14