Ramanathan v. Regional Passport Officer, Chennai
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED:
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE S.SOUNTHAR WP.No.18312 of 2026 Ramanathan ... Petitioner Vs.
1.
Regional Passport Officer, Chennai Royal Towers, 3, IV Floor, Old No.785, New No.158, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002.
2.
Central Crime Branch (CCB)-1, Chennai, No.132, EVK Sampath Salai, Periamet, Vepery, Chennai 600 007. ... Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to process the Passport Application File No.MA2076411403326 of the petitioner and re-issue the passport to the petitioner within the time frame fixed by this Court based on the representation of the petitioner dated 27.04.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.Abhinav Parthasarathy For Respondents : Mr.Zakir Hussain Central Govt. Stdg. Counsel for R-1 : Mr.P.Balathandayutham Spl. Govt. Pleader for R-2 1/4
ORDER
This writ petition is filed seeking a direction to the first respondent to process the passport renewal application of the petitioner and re-issue the passport to the petitioner based on the representation of the petitioner dated 27.04.2026.
2. It is the case of the petitioner that he is the holder of Passport No.P3907051 and the same expires on 27.09.2026. The petitioner applied for renewal of passport vide Passport Application File No.MA2076411403326. The petitioner also attended the interview and complied with all others formalities. It is further stated that there is a pending criminal case against the petitioner in C.C.No.5743 of 2023 on the file of Special Metropolitan Magistrate CCB and CBCID Metro Cases at Egmore and further proceedings in the said case was stayed by this Court in Crl.M.P.No.14630 and 14631 of 2023 in Crl.O.P.No.21240 of 2023. In view of the same, the petitioner seeks a direction to the respondents to renew the passport without referring to the criminal case.
3. Mr.Zakir Hussain, learned Central Government Standing Counsel, takes notice for the first respondent and Mr.P.Balathandayutham, learned 2/4
Special Government Pleader, takes notice for the second respondent.
4. Learned counsel appearing for the first respondent would submit that the representation submitted by the petitioner will be considered and the application for renewal of the passport will be disposed of, in accordance with law.
5. In view of the said submission made by the learned counsel for the first respondent, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, this Court is inclined to direct the first respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 27.04.2026 and pass final orders on the Passport Renewal Application of the petitioner within a period of four weeks from today.
The writ petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. 06.05.2026 Speaking Order/Non-speaking Order Index : Yes / No sra 3/4
S.SOUNTHAR, J.
To 1.
Regional Passport Officer, Chennai Royal Towers, 3, IV Floor, Old No.785, New No.158, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002.
2.
Central Crime Branch (CCB)-1, Chennai, No.132, EVK Sampath Salai, Periamet, Vepery, Chennai 600 007.
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