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Madras High CourtWP(MD)/1546/2026disposed of

Mohamed Riyas v. The Regional Passport Officer

2026-02-17Honourable Mr Justice R.Vijayakumar5 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 17.02.2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR W.P.(MD)No.1546 of 2026 Mohamed Riyas

...Petitioner

Vs

1. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625 002.

2. The Inspector of Police, R.S. Mangalam Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

...Respondents

PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1st respondent to issue the Fresh Passport to the petitioner by considering the petitioner's application taken on file as File No. MD1075602312325, dated 08.09.2025 within the time that may be stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : M/s.K.Yasar Arafath For Respondents : Mr.C.Shanmuga Sundaram Central Government Standing Counsel for R1 M/s.M.Aasha Government Advocate(crl.side) for R2 1/5

ORDER

The present writ petition has been filed seeking a mandamus directing the first respondent to issue fresh passport to the petitioner based upon his application dated 08.09.2025.

2. The petitioner was issued with a passport on 30.04.2018 whose validity ends only on 29.04.2028. According to the learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner, he has lost his passport while he was travelling in a two wheeler from R.S.Mangalam to Tiruvadanai on 28.08.2025. Therefore, the petitioner has lodged a complaint on 06.09.2025.

3. The police after investigation came to a conclusion that the petitioner is providing inconsistent reasons with regard to losing his passport whether it was lost at Coimbatore or at Tiruvadanai. The petitioner is not able to firmly say anything about the place of losing the passport. Counter has also been filed to the said effect.

4. The learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that in view of the police complaint, his passport has been cancelled and therefore, there is no possibility of any misuse of his passport. 2/5

5. The learned Central Government Standing Counsel appearing for the first respondent submitted that when the police report is adverse, the question of reissuance of the passport to the petitioner would not arise.

6. I have considered the submissions made on either side and perused the materials available on record.

7. As on today, the only legal impediment pointed out by the first respondent for not issuing the passport is that the petitioner has not provided proper reasons for the manner in which he has lost the passport. The counter filed by the second respondent also points out that inconsistent reasons have been provided by the petitioner for the loss of his passport.

8. The above said reasons cannot be a legal impediment for issuance of the passport in view of the fact that the passport which has been lost by petitioner, has already been cancelled and there is no possibility of any misuse of the same.

9. In view of the above said facts, the first respondent is directed to consider the application of the writ petitioner and pass orders with regard to the passport application within a period of 4(four) weeks from the date of receipt of 3/5

a copy of this order.

10. With the above said observations, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.

17.02.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet: Yes/No RJR To

1. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625 002.

2. The Inspector of Police, R.S. Mangalam Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

4/5

R.VIJAYAKUMAR , J.

RJR W.P.(MD)No.1546 of 2026 17.02.2026 5/5