Krishnamoorthi v. The Regional Passport Officer
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 06-06-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE N. ANAND VENKATESH
1. KRISHNAMOORTHI S/o Rengasamy, Kattukottakai, Velluvadi, Kariyanur Post, Veppanthattai Taluk, Perambalur District 621 117 Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Regional Passport Officer Regional Passport Office, New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar, 7th Cross, Tiruchirapalli 620 018 2.The Inspector Of Police V.Kalathur Police Station, Perambalur District Respondent(s) PRAYER Writ petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India for the issue of writ of Mandamus directing the 1st Respondent to issue a passport to the petitioner,
by considering his Application No TR2064965771725 dated 22.04.2025, within the time limit to be stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner(s):
Mr.M. Vijayaragavan For Respondent(s):
Mr.R.Subramanian Additional Central Government Standing Counsel for R1 Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam Government Advocate [Crl. Side] for R2
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed for the issue of writ of Mandamus directing the 1 st respondent to act upon the application submitted by the petitioner dated 22.04.2025 wherein the petitioner is seeking for issuance of passport in his name.
2.
Heard Mr.M. Vijayaragavan, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.R.Subramanian, learned Additional Central Government Standing Counsel for 1 st respondent and Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, learned Government Advocate [Crl. Side] for 2 nd respondent.
3.
The 1 st respondent has not processed the application given by the petitioner on the ground that an FIR is pending against the petitioner in Crime No.58 of 2021 on the file of the 2 nd respondent.
4.
The learned Government Advocate appearing on behalf of the 2 nd respondent submitted that the investigation has been completed and the police report is yet to be taken on file.
5.
It is now too well settled that the mere registration of the FIR cannot be a ground for issuance of passport and it cannot be construed as a case pending. Therefore, the FIR pending against the petitioner cannot be a ground to deny issuance of passport to the petitioner.
6.
In the light of the above discussion, there shall be a direction to the st respondent to process the application and issue the passport to the petitioner, if he has satisfied all the other requirements. The mere registration of the FIR should not be put against the petitioner. This process shall be completed within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 7.
This writ petition is disposed of with the above directions. No costs.
06-06-2025 rka Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes
To 1.The Regional Passport Officer Regional Passport Office, New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar 7th Cross, Tiruchirapalli 620 018 2.The Inspector Of Police V.Kalathur Police Station, Perambalur District
N.ANAND VENKATESH J.
rka 06-06-2025