Syed Salman Farries Syed Umar v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 02.04.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR W.P.(MD)No.8927 of 2026 Syed Salman Farries Syed Umar ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer Regional Passport Office, Madurai, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, K.Pudur, Madurai District.

2.The Inspector of Police Eathamozhi Police Station, Kanyakumari District.

(In Crime No.97 of 2021) ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to renew / reissue the petitioner's Passport bearing No.N2782794 and Application Reference No.25-2056462573 by considering petitioner's representation dated 09.03.2026 within a time frame stipulated by this Court thereby enabling the petitioner to travel abroad for his livelihood. 1/5

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Navas Shareef For Respondents : Mr.Paranjothi - for R1 Central Government Standing Counsel Mr.M.Vaikkam Karunanithi - for R2 Government Advocate *****

O R D E R

The petitioner's application for renewal of passport has not been processed on the ground that a criminal case is pending against him in C.C.No.779 of 2022 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate No.III, Nagercoil.

2. The Hon'ble Full Bench of this Court, in W.P.(MD) No.26547 of 2025, while answering a reference as to whether reissue/renewal of a passport is to be treated on par with issuance of a fresh passport or as a mere renewal, held that re-issue/renewal of passport must be treated in the same manner as issuance of a fresh passport. However, liberty was granted to the petitioner therein to obtain prior permission 2/5

from the concerned Court and submit the same along with the application, as contemplated under the Passport Act.

3. In the light of the aforesaid pronouncement, this Writ Petition is disposed of, granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the Judicial Magistrate No.III, Nagercoil, in C.C.No.779 of 2022, seeking permission to obtain passport. If such an application is filed, the concerned criminal Court shall consider and dispose of the same on its own merits and in accordance with law within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of filing of the application. No costs. 02.04.2026 Index :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No rm 3/5

Copy to The Judicial Magistrate No.III, Nagercoil.

To 1.The Regional Passport Officer Regional Passport Office, Madurai, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, K.Pudur, Madurai District.

2.The Inspector of Police Eathamozhi Police Station, Kanyakumari District.

(In Crime No.97 of 2021) 4/5

HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

rm W.P.(MD)No.8927 of 2026 02.04.2026 5/5