L.Rajapandiyan v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 27.03.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR L.Rajapandiyan ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer, Office of the Regional Passport, Trichy Region, Trichy District.

2.The State of Tamilnadu, Represented by its Sub Inspector of Police, Udayalipatti Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1st Respondent to reissue/renew the passport bearing No. N7894178 to the Petitioner by processing his application ref No.26-1054824020 based on the Petitioner's application dated 13.03.2026.

For Petitioner :Mr.M.Anbarasan For R1 :Mr.B.Brijesh Kishore Central Government Standing Counsel For R2 :Mr.M.Vaikkam Karunanithi Government Advocate (Crl.side) 1/4

O R D E R

The petitioner is before this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to reissue/renew the passport bearing No. N7894178 by processing his application Ref. No. 26-1054824020 dated 13.03.2026.

2. The petitioner's request for reissue/renewal of the passport has not been processed on the ground that a criminal case is pending against him before the Judicial Magistrate Court, Keeranur in C.C. No. 306 of 2025.

3. 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 should be treated on par with issuance of a fresh passport, held that reissue/renewal 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 from the concerned Court and submit the same along with the passport application, as contemplated under the Passports 2/4

Act, 1967.

4. In view of the above, this writ petition is disposed of granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the jurisdictional criminal court where the case is pending and file an appropriate application seeking permission for issuance/renewal of the passport. Upon such application being filed, the concerned Court shall consider and pass appropriate orders within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of filing of the application. No costs.

Index :Yes / No 27.03.2026 Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No cmr To The Sub Inspector of Police, Udayalipatti Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

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HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

cmr 27.03.2026 4/4