K.Muthramalingam v. The Regional Passport Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 25.06.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH K.Muthuramalingam S/o.Krishnan Petitioner Vs 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Office of the Regional Passport Office, Chennai Loyal Towers, No.2 & 3, 4th Floor, Old No.785, New No.155, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

2.The State represented by its Inspector of Police, B-4, High Court Police Station, Chennai.

Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to re-issue the passport bearing application No.251049649815 in respect of passport bearing No.W8506933 in the light of the order passed by the High Court in Crl.O.P.No.8489/2023 upon the application submitted by the petitioner on 20.03.2025 for re-issuance of the passport to him.

For Petitioner : Mr.S.Arivazhagan 1/4

For Respondents : Ms.N.K.Nithilavani Central Government Counsel [R1] Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam Government Advocate [Crl.side] [R2] *****

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the first respondent to act upon the application submitted by the petitioner on 20.03.2025 wherein the petitioner is seeking for re-issuance/renewal of his passport.

2. Heard Mr.S.Arivazhagan, learned counsel for petitioner, Ms.N.K.Nithilavani, learned Central Government Counsel appearing for first respondent and Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, learned Government Advocate [Crl.side] appearing for second respondent.

3. The application submitted by the petitioner was not acted upon due to the pendency of a criminal case. Ultimately, the proceedings in C.C.No.5724 of 2022, which was pending on the file of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, was put to challenge before this Court in Crl.O.P.No.8489 of 2023. This Court, by order dated 13.03.2025, quashed the entire proceedings. Even thereafter, the application submitted by the petitioner was not acted upon. It is under these circumstances, the 2/4

present writ petition has been filed before this Court.

4. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the materials placed before this Court and also taking note of the fact that the criminal case itself has been quashed by this Court, there shall be a direction to the first respondent to act upon the representation of the petitioner and re-issue the passport within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, if the petitioner satisfies all the other requirements. This writ petition is disposed of with the above direction. No costs.

25.06.2025 Index: Yes/no Speaking Order/Non-Speaking Order gm N.ANAND VENKATESH, J gm 3/4

To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Office of the Regional Passport Office, Chennai Loyal Towers, No.2 & 3, 4th Floor, Old No.785, New No.155, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

2.The Inspector of Police, B-4, High Court Police Station, Chennai.

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