SupremeToday Landscape Ad
Back
Next
Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation
Listen Audio Icon Pause Audio Icon
judgment-img

2019 Supreme(Bom) 2098

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY AT GOA BENCH
M.S. Sonak, Nutan D. Sardessai, JJ.
Suo Motu - Appellant
Versus
State - Respondent
Writ Petition No.1 of 2019
Decided On : 27-02-2019

Advocates Appeared:
Mr. Devidas J. Pangam, Amicus Curiae, for the Appellant; Mr. Pravin N. Faldessai, Additional Public Prosecutor, for the Respondent No. 1,2,3 and 5

Headnote:

Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 376 and 506 - Passport Entry Act, 1920 - Sections 3 and 4 - Foreigners Act, 1946 – Sections 3, 4 and 14 - Foreigners Order, 1948 - Section 7 - Establishment Of Detention Centers - Issue in relation to overstay of foreign nationals in country needs to be addressed seriously - In instant matter petitioner is questioning registration of second FIR - In order to establish identity of petitioner was directed to produce before this court original passport - However petitioner has shown photostat copy of first page of passport - Petitioner shall produce original passport on next date of hearing - Issue as regards establishment of detention centers has been raised during course of arguments - It is informed that there are no detention centers established in state to keep foreign nationals who are overstaying in country - Respondent/State is directed to furnish information as regards establishment of detention centers in state and steps those are taken till this date - We shall also be informed as to time frame requirement for setting up requisite detention centers in state - Held, We direct chief secretary state to circulate a copy of this judgment and order to all state government/prosecution agencies within a period of four weeks from today for necessary action and compliance - Similarly we direct registry of this court to circulate a copy of this judgment and order to principal district judges within a period of four weeks from today for necessary action and compliance - Principal District Judges should circulate a copy of this judgment and order to magistrate/courts for necessary action and compliance - We also request principal district judges to consider holding a special workshop to develop a set of best practices to deal with cases involving foreign nationals who have no proper/valid travel documents or whose visa term has already expired - Two principal district judges may also consider involving officials from ministry of home affairs government as also state government/prosecution agencies in such workshop so that some coordinated action on subject becomes feasible - Order Accordingly.

JUDGMENT

M.S. Sonak, J. - Heard Mr. D. Pangam, learned Amicus Curiae and Mr. P. Faldessai, learned Additional Public Prosecutor for Respondent Nos.1, 2, 3 and 5.

2. Originally, Criminal Writ Petition No.199 of 2018 was instituted by Mr. Chidiebere Charles Onuchukwu, Nigerian National, who was then, in judicial custody at Central Colvale Jail, Goa, in order to question the FIR No.214/2018 dated 9th November, 2018 registered by the Calangute Police Station against him for violating the provisions of Sections 3 and 4 of the Passport Entry Act, 1920, Rules 3(2)(a) and 6(a) of Passport Entry into India Rules, 1950 and Section 7(1)(iii) of Foreigners Order 1948, all punishable under section 14 of the Foreigners Act, 1946.

3. On 10th December, 2018, upon hearing Mr. T. George John, learned Advocate for the Petitioner and Mr. P. Faldessai, learned Additional Public Prosecutor for Respondent Nos.1, 2 and 3, we made the following order.

    "The learned Addl. Public Prosecutor appearing for the State has invited our attention to the judgment in the matter of Christian Chidieere Chukwu vs. The State of Karnataka and others, 2016 Cri. L. J 2947 decided on 18.2.2016.

    The issue in relation to overstay of foreign nationals in the country needs to be addressed seriously. In the instant matter, the petitioner is questioning the registration of second FIR. In order to establish the identity of the petitioner, the petitioner was directed to produce before this Court original passport. However, the petitioner has shown photostat copy of first page of passport. The petitioner shall produce original passport on the next date of hearing.

    2. The issue as regards the establishment of detention centres has been raised during course of arguments. It is informed that there are no detention centres established in the State of Goa to keep the foreign nationals who are overstaying in the country. The respondent/State is directed to furnish the information as regards the establishment of detention centres in the State and steps, those are taken till this date. We shall also be informed as to time frame requirement for setting up requisite detention centres in the State.

    3. The respondent/State shall also furnish the data in respect of overstay of foreign nationals in the State of Goa and mechanism provided by the State for keeping control over the foreign nationals'' overstay in the country and the steps being taken. The petitioner shall implead (i) Union of India through Ministry of Home Affairs and (ii) Foreigners Regional Registration Office(FRRO) as party respondents. Petitioner to carry out necessary amendment forthwith. In the event of failure of the Petitioner to carry out amendment, registry is directed to carry out the same within three days. Registry is directed to supply copy of the petition along with annexures to the Shri M. Amonkar, counsel appearing for the Union of India.

    4. Place the petition for consideration on 17.12.2018."

    4. On 17th December, 2018, the original Petitioner instead of complying with the directions issued by us in our order dated 10th December, 2018, in the matter of production of his original passport on the next date of hearing, applied for leave to withdraw the petition through his counsel Mr. T. George John. Upon this motion, on 17th December, 2018, we made the following order:-

      "The Petitioner has objected to the registration of FIR bearing No.214/18 dated 9 November 2018, registered at the Calangute Police Station against the Petitioner.

      2. The Counsel appearing for the Petitioner, on instructions, states that the Petitioner does not ntend to proceed with the challenge raised in the Petition and seeks leave to withdraw the Petition.

      3. While directing issuance of notice on 10th December 2018, this Court has taken cognizance of the issue of establishment of Detention Centres in the State of Goa and called upon the State to furnish information, in writing, of the steps taken for establishing Detention Centres in the State of

                  Click Here to Read the rest of this document
                  1
                  2
                  3
                  4
                  5
                  6
                  7
                  8
                  9
                  10
                  11
                  SupremeToday Portrait Ad
                  supreme today icon
                  logo-black

                  An indispensable Tool for Legal Professionals, Endorsed by Various High Court and Judicial Officers

                  Please visit our Training & Support
                  Center or Contact Us for assistance

                  qr

                  Scan Me!

                  India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!

                  For Daily Legal Updates, Join us on :

                  whatsapp-icon Back to top