Kavikumar v. The Regional Passport Officer
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 10.04.2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR Kavikumar .. Petitioner - Vs. - 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, New Municipal Complex, Thillai Nagar 7th Cross, Tiruchirappalli-620 018.
2.The Inspector of Police, Karambakudi Police Station, Pudukkottai District.
.. Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to process the application of the petitioner and reissue his passport under File No.TR1076289397226 dated 23.01.2026 (Letter Ref.No.SCN/1053703601/26 dated 11.02.2026) within a time frame that may be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.A.Rahul For R1 : Mr.P.Murugesan Central Government Standing Counsel 1/4
For R2 : Mr.M.Vaikkam Karunanithi Government Advocate (Criminal Side)
ORDER
The petitioner is before this Court seeking a direction to the first respondent to process his application dated 23.01.2026 and reissue his passport. The petitioner's application for reissuance of the passport has not been processed on the ground that a charge sheet has been filed against him and that the Judicial Court has taken cognizance in C.C. No.131 of 2024.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the said criminal proceedings have been stayed by this Court in Crl.O.P. (MD) No.7019 of 2026 by order dated 09.04.2026. It is therefore contended that, in view of the stay of the criminal proceedings, there is no impediment for the first respondent to reissue the passport.
3. The Hon'ble Full Bench of this Court, in W.P. (MD) No.26547 of 2025, while answering the question as to whether reissue/renewal of a passport should be treated on par with issuance of a fresh passport, held that such reissue/renewal must be treated in the same manner as issuance of a fresh passport. However, liberty was granted to the applicant to obtain prior 2/4
permission from the concerned Court and submit the same along with the passport application, as contemplated under the Passport Act, 1967.
4. In view of the above, this writ petition is disposed of granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the jurisdictional Court, where the criminal case is pending, and file an appropriate application seeking permission for issuance/renewal of the passport. If such an application is filed, the criminal Court concerned shall consider and pass appropriate orders within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of filing of the application. In the event the trial Court grants permission to the petitioner for renewal of the passport, the first respondent shall process the petitioner's application and pass appropriate orders on merits in accordance with law within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of submission of such permission.
5. There shall be no order as to costs.
10.04.2026 Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No NCC : Yes/No sji 3/4
HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.
sji To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, New Municipal Complex, Thillai Nagar 7th Cross, Tiruchirappalli-620 018.
2.The Inspector of Police, Karambakudi Police Station, Pudukkottai District.
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