LI Network
Published on: January 12, 2024 at 00:20 IST
In a recent ruling by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana in Chandigarh, Justice Jagmohan Bansal presided over the case of Vikramjeet Singh versus the Union of India and others. The petitioner sought guidance for the re-issuance of his passport, citing complications arising from a past juvenile criminal case.
The Court, in its order dated January 9, 2024, expressed concern over the failure to implement its prior directives regarding passport applications involving pending criminal charges.
The case referred to previous orders, including one in Mohan Lal @ Mohna versus Union of India and others (2013 SCC Online P&H 1391), which outlined specific procedures for handling such applications.
Justice Jagmohan Bansal, in his oral remarks, noted, “Despite specific orders passed in Mohan Lal @ Mohna (supra) as well as order dated 13.09.2023 in CWP No. 19314 of 2020, the State authorities have not started sending police verification reports in the prescribed proforma. The passport authorities are also not asking the police officials to send their report in the prescribed proforma.”
The petitioner’s case involved an FIR registered against him as a juvenile, resulting in subsequent acquittal. However, the passport application was denied based on an adverse police verification report, a discrepancy not reflected in the case of the co-accused who had already been issued a passport.
In response to the court’s directive, Mr. Amit Sharma, Senior Panel Counsel for the Union of India, assured that the petitioner’s application would be considered and disposed of within six weeks from the date of the order.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the non-compliance of its earlier orders, Justice Jagmohan Bansal issued a stern warning: “The passport authorities are directed to implement the aforesaid orders in letter and spirit. If the authorities in the future fail to implement the afore-stated orders, they would be hauled up in contempt proceedings.”
Case Name: Vikramjeet Singh Vs the Union of India and others.
