Rangarajan Narasimhan v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 09.09.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE P.T.ASHA and W.M.P(MD)No.7179 of 2025 Rangarajan Narasimhan .. Petitioner Vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, 7th Cross Street, Thillai Nagar, New Municipal Complex, Tiruchirappalli - 620 018.

2.The Union of Indian, through the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

3.The Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Police, Chennai.

Crime No.320/2024 4.The Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Police, Crime No.80/2024

5.The Inspector of Police, Srivilliputhur Town PS, Virudhunagar.

Crime No.610/2024 6.The Inspector of Police, Srirangam Police Station, Srirangam, Trichy 620 006.

Crime Nos.1145/2021, 1262/2024, 1267/2024 7.The Inspector of Police, Thiruchendur Temple Police Station, Crime Nos.193/2024 & 194/2024 8.The Inspector of Police, Triplicane Police Station, Triplicane, Chennai.

Crime No.538/2024 .. Respondents (R3 to R8 are impleaded vide Court order, dated 18.08.2025 in W.M.P(MD)No.8775/2025) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of Writ of Certiorari, to call for the records of the 1st respondent, quash File No.TR2064871242322 dated 19.03.2025 as malicious, arbitrary, unjust and illegal.

For Petitioner : Mr.Rangarajan Narasimhan (Party-in-person) For R1 : Mr.R.J.Karthick

For R2 : Mr.K.Govindarajan Deputy Solicitor General of India For R3-R8 : Mr.S.Prakash Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

This writ petition is filed for the following relief: "to call for the records of the 1st respondent, quash File No.TR2064871242322 dated 19.03.2025 as malicious, arbitrary, unjust and illegal."

2. The order impounding the passport, dated 19.03.2025 has been passed without any show cause notice to the petitioner. Therefore, considering the fact that no opportunity has been given to the petitioner to explain his stand and as the impugned order is violative of principles of natural justice, the same is set aside and the 1st respondent is directed to issue fresh show cause notice and after affording an opportunity of personal hearing to submit his objections, shall pass appropriate orders.

3. In view of the above, this Writ Petition stands allowed. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. 09.09.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes gbg To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, 7th Cross Street, Thillai Nagar, New Municipal Complex, Tiruchirappalli - 620 018.

2.The Union of Indian, through the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

3.The Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Police, Chennai.

4.The Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Police,

5.The Inspector of Police, Srivilliputhur Town PS, Virudhunagar.

6.The Inspector of Police, Srirangam Police Station, Srirangam, Trichy 620 006.

7.The Inspector of Police, Thiruchendur Temple Police Station, 8.The Inspector of Police, Triplicane Police Station, Triplicane, Chennai.

P.T.ASHA, J.

gbg 09.09.2025