Sanjai v. The Regional Passport Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 20-08-2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE N. ANAND VENKATESH

1. SANJAI S/o. K R Kumaran, Old No, 3 New No 7 G Block 18th Street, Annanagar East, Chennai 600 102.

Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Regional Passport Officer Regional Passport Office, 3 IV Floor Old No. 785 New No. 158 Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002.

2.The State Rep By Inspector Of Police K4 Anna Nagar TIW Police Station, Chennai Cr No. 221/2023.

Respondent(s) PRAYER Writ petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India for the issuance of writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to consider the application for renewal of passport and subsequently direct the 1st respondent to issue the passport to the petitioner

based on the settled position of law and pass orders. For Petitioner(s): Mr.R.Sunil Kumar For Respondent(s):

Mr.E.Ganesh for R1 Mr.V.Meganathan Government Advocate [Crl Side] for R2

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed for the issue of writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to act upon the application submitted by the petitioner wherein the petitioner is seeking for renewal of passport.

2.

The learned Government Advocate appearing on behalf of the 2nd respondent on instructions submitted that an FIR against the petitioner is pending in Crime No.221 of 2023. The learned Government Advocate further submitted that the investigation is pending.

3.

In the considered view of this Court, the mere pendency of an FIR against the petitioner cannot be a ground to refuse reissuance / renewal of the passport in favour of the petitioner. The law on this issue is now too well settled. Useful reference can be

made to the judgement of the Division Bench of this Court in WA No.902 of 2023.

4.

In view of the above, there shall be a direction to the 1st respondent to process the application submitted by the petitioner seeking for renewal of passport for the regular period and grant the renewal, if the petitioner has satisfied all the requirements. This process shall be completed within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5.

This writ petition is disposed of with the above directions. No costs.

20-08-2025 rka Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes

To 1.The Regional Passport Officer Regional Passport Office, 3 Iv Floor Old No. 785 New No. 158 Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002.

2.The State Rep By Inspector Of Police K4 Anna Nagar TIW Police Station, Chennai Cr No. 221/2023.

N.ANAND VENKATESH J.

rka 20-08-2025