Sakthi Vignesh v. The Regional Passport Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 01.09.2025 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI Sakthi Vignesh ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer, The Regional Passport Office, Chennai Royala Towers, No.2 and 3, IV Floor, Old No.785, New No.158, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

2.Inspector of Police, D-4, Zambazaar Police Station, Chennai - 600 014.

Cr.No.385/2020 ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to grant approval for renewal of passport of the petitioner and to renew the same.

For Petitioner : Mr.V.Balamurugan Page No.1 of 6

For Respondents : Mr.P.Ayyaswamy Central Government Standing Counsel [R1] Mr.S.Balaji Government Advocate (Crl.Side) [R2] *****

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed by the petitioner seeking for a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondent to grant approval for renewal of passport of the petitioner and to renew the same.

2. Mr.P.Ayyaswamy, learned Central Government Standing Counsel, accepts notice on behalf of the 1st respondent and Mr.S.Balaji, learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side), accepts notice on behalf of the 2nd respondent. In view of the consent expressed by the parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.

3. The case of the petitioner is that, he submitted an application to the 1st respondent through online seeking renewal of his passport on 21.07.2025. However, on 05.08.2025, the petitioner received a communication from the 1st respondent calling for explanation with regard to the adverse police verification report submitted by the 2nd Page No.2 of 6

respondent. Therefore, the petitioner has appeared before the 1st respondent and produced all relevant documents regarding the same. However, the 1st respondent refused to accept the same and does not allow to renew the passport as there is pending criminal case. Therefore, left with no other alternative, the petitioner has filed this writ petition before this Court for appropriate orders.

4. Though very many grounds have been raised in this writ petition, however, learned counsel for the petitioner restricted his prayer and sought permission of this Court to send a suitable explanation to the notice issued by the 1st respondent dated 05.08.2025 within a time frame that may be fixed by this Court and upon receipt of the same, the 1st respondent may be directed to pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law.

5. In view of the limited request sought for by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, this Court, permits the petitioner to give a suitable explanation to the notice sent by the 1st respondent, dated 05.08.2025, within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of a Page No.3 of 6

copy of this order. Upon receipt of the same, the 1st respondent shall pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with Passport Act and Rules, within a period of six (6) weeks thereafter.

6. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

01.09.2025 Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order sp Page No.4 of 6

To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, The Regional Passport Office, Chennai Royala Towers, No.2 and 3, IV Floor, Old No.785, New No.158, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

2.The Inspector of Police, D-4, Zambazaar Police Station, Chennai - 600 014.

Page No.5 of 6

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

sp 01.09.2025 Page No.6 of 6