Kannagi v. The Regional Passport Office

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 12.02.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR W.P(MD)No.3223 of 2026 Kannagi ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer, Tiruchirappalli, New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar 7th Cross, Tiruchirappalli - 6200 018.

2. The State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by Inspector of Police, District Crime Branch, Karur District.

... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, forbearing the first respondent from freezing the petitioner passport bearing No.AH589926 based on the petitioner explanation submitted on 13.01.2026 in the light of order passed in Crl.O.P(MD)No.16058 of 2023 till disposal of Crime No.21 of 2022 on the file of the second respondent within the time limit that may be stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Palaniselvam For R1 : Mr.S.Poornachandran Central Government Standing Counsel 1/4

For R2 : Mrs.M.Aasha Government Advocate (Criminal Side)

O R D E R

The present writ petition has been filed seeking a Mandamus forbearing the first respondent from impounding the passport of the petitioner, based upon the explanation submitted by the petitioner on 13.01.2026.

2. A perusal of the records reveal that the petitioner has been implicated in a criminal case in Crime No.21 of 2022 on the file of the second respondent. The petitioner has filed a Criminal Original Petition in Crl.O.P(MD) No.16058 of 2023 to quash the FIR, in which an interim order has been granted on 20.09.2023 and it has been extended on 07.12.2023. In view of the pendency of the quash petition, so far charge sheet has not been laid.

3. In view of the above said facts, it is clear that so far charge sheet has not been filed and the same was not taken on file. In such circumstances, there is no legal impediment for the first respondent to consider the request of 2/4

the petitioner for issuance of passport. In such circumstances, the question of impounding the passport to the petitioner does not arise. In case, if the charge sheet is laid and the cognizance is taken, the second respondent is at liberty to approach the first respondent for impounding the passport of the writ petitioner.

4. With the above said observation, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

12.02.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No ebsi To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Tiruchirappalli, New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar 7th Cross, Tiruchirappalli - 6200 018.

2. The Inspector of Police, District Crime Branch, Karur District.

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R.VIJAYAKUMAR,J.

ebsi W.P(MD)No.3223 of 2026 12.02.2026 4/4