JUDGMENT

(Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to renew the petitioner's passport No.L9150251 bearing File No.MA1075973091723.)

1. Ms.V.Sudha, learned Central Government Standing Counsel Counsel accepts notice for R1 and Mr.R.Kishore Kumar, learned Government Advocate accepts notice for R2 and both are armed with instructions to enable final disposal of this matter, even at the stage of admission.

2. The petitioner seeks a mandamus directing the Regional Passport Officer, Chennai/R1 to renew the petitioner's passport bearing No.L9150251. The passport is due to expire on 27.05.2024 and the petitioner had sought renewal of the same on 15.11.2023. File No.MA1075973091723 was assigned to the renewal application.

3. The petitioner has made a due disclosure about a criminal complaint lodged against himself and his family of dowry harassment before the second respondent, i.e., Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station in Crime No.14 of 2022 for offences under Sections 498(A), 420, 406, 506 (ii) read with 34 of Indian Penal Court and Sections 3 and 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act.

4. Mr.Kishore