Periakaruppan v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 12.03.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR Periakaruppan ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office-Trichy, New Municipal Complex, Thillai Nagar Cross, Tiruchirappalli - 620 018.

2.The Inspector of Police, Thirumayam Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st Respondent to re-issue passport to the petitioner on the basis of his passport application taken on file as File No. TR2075328229925, within the time stipulated by this Court.

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For Petitioner :Mr.C.R.Kasi Viswanathan For R1 :Mr.G.Ramanathan Central Government Standing Counsel For R2 :Mr.M.Vaikkam Karunanithi Government Advocate (crl.side) *****

O R D E R

The petitioner is before this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to re-issue the passport to the petitioner based on the passport application in File No. TR2075328229925.

2. The petitioner's passport was not renewed on the ground that a criminal case is pending against him in C.C. No.17 of 2025 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate Court, Thirumayam.

3. The Hon'ble Full Bench of this Court, in W.P.(MD) No.26547 of 2025, while considering the question as to whether re-issue/renewal of a passport should be treated in the same manner as issuance of a fresh passport or merely as a case of renewal, held that the re-issue/renewal of a passport has to be treated by the Passport Authority in the same manner 2/4

as issuance of a fresh passport. However, liberty was granted to the petitioner therein to obtain prior permission from the Court concerned and submit the same along with the passport application as contemplated under the Passport Act, 1967.

4. In view of the above legal position, this Writ Petition is disposed of by granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the jurisdictional Court in which the criminal case is pending and file an appropriate application seeking permission for renewal of the passport. If such an application is filed, the concerned criminal court shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders expeditiously. No costs. Index :Yes / No 12.03.2026 Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No cmr To The Inspector of Police, Thirumayam Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

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HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

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