Court Intervenes to Save Indian Worker's Job in Kuwait
The Gujarat High Court has issued a crucial directive to the Regional Passport Office, ordering them to process the passport renewal application of an Indian national working in Kuwait. The renewal had been stalled due to a First Information Report (FIR) related to rash and negligent driving filed against him in Mahisagar district.
Urgent Hearing and Court's Rationale
In an oral order delivered on a Tuesday, Justice Aniruddha P Mayee instructed the authorities to complete the process within a strict four-week deadline. The court's decision, which was formally uploaded on a Wednesday, was heavily influenced by the petitioner's submission that failure to renew his passport would lead to "forceful deportation and permanent blacklisting" from Kuwait, thereby putting his entire livelihood at stake.
The bench considered the "peculiar facts and circumstances" of the case, particularly the nature of the offence and the severe consequences the petitioner faced. The court noted that the applicant, who was unaware of the FIR as it was filed by a Police Head Constable, had already taken proactive steps to address the situation.
Petitioner's Proactive Compliance
The court took into account the petitioner's submissions that he had provided a "suitable written explanation" to the Embassy of India in Kuwait on September 7. In this explanation, he addressed the FIR lodged against him at the Lunawada police station.
Furthermore, the petitioner had given a formal undertaking to the court. He committed to "remain present and fully cooperate" with the trial court for the "expeditious disposal" of the criminal proceedings against him. This demonstration of willingness to engage with the Indian judicial system weighed positively in the High Court's consideration.
The HC was ultimately hearing a plea that challenged the passport office's order which had withheld the application. The authorities had sought an explanation regarding the alleged "suppression of offence" related to rash driving. The court's intervention has now provided a lifeline to the Gujarati expatriate, allowing his passport renewal to proceed on its own merits and in accordance with the law.
