Karunanithi v. The Regional Passport Officer
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 19.08.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN W .P(MD)No.11717 of 2025 Karunanithi : Petitioner Vs.
1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar 7th Cross, Tiruchirappalli-620 018.
2.The Inspector of Police, Adiramapattinam Police Station, Thanjavur District.
: Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to issue Passport to the petitioner by processing his application in File No.TR1067343365725 based on the explanation/representation, dated 19/04/2025 within a time limit stipulated by this court and pass such further or other orders.
For Petitioner : Mr.B.Anandan For 1st Respondent : Mr.V.B.Sundhareshwar Central Government Standing Counsel For 2nd Respondent : Mr.Vaikkam Karunanidhi Government Advocate (Criminal side) 1/6
O R D E R
This writ petition has been filed for a direction to the 1st respondent to issue Passport to the petitioner, by processing his application in File No.TR1067343365725 based on the explanation/representation, dated 19/04/2025 within a time limit.
2.Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the 1st respondent as well as the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the 2nd respondent.
3.The learned Government Advocate (Criminal side) appearing for the second respondent submits that the petitioner was involved in at least 12 criminal cases and FIRs were registered as detailed hereunder:- Sl.
No.
Police Station Crime No.
Offence Stage of the case
01. PEW 495/2019 2/6
02. PEW 721/2019 U/s.4(1)(aaa), 4(1)(g), 4(1) (i), 4(1)(A) of Act.
NFT-FR No.84/20, dated 16/02/25
03. PEW Pattukottai.
NFT-FR No.
1126/21 dated 16/02/25
04. PEW Pattukottai.
648/2021 U/s.4(1)(aaa), 4(1)(g), 4(1) (A) of TN Prohibition Act 616/2023 Act.
05. PEW 359/2024
06. PEW 149/2024
07. PEW 100/2024
08. PEW 292/2021 U/s.4(1)(aaa), 4(1)(g), 4(1) (i), 4(1)(A) of
09. Adhirampattiam Thanjavur District.
205/2024 U/s.4(1)(aaa), 4(1)(g) of TN Prohibition Act Under investiga tion
10. Adhirampattiam Thanjavur District.
243/2024 U/s.4(1)(aaa), 4(1)(a) of TN Prohibition Act Under investiga tion 3/6
11. PEW 762/2023
12. PEW 17/2024 4.Reading of the above tabulation that has been extracted from para 3 of the counter filed by the second respondent indicates that although, charge sheets have been filed in respect of Crime Nos.721 of 2019 and 648 of 2019 before the Judicial Magistrate, Pattukottai, they were not taken on file. That apart, Serial Nos.9 and 10 are still under investigation. Therefore, there can be no impediment to process the passport of the petitioner.
5.Considering the same, there shall be a direction to the first respondent to process the petitioner's application No.TR1067343365725 as expeditiously as possible. In case, charge sheet is taken on file in any one of the cases mentioned above, the petitioner shall surrender the Passport to the concerned Court and thereafter, file an application to retrieve the same. In case, the petitioner failed to comply with the above 4/6
said conditions stipulated, the second respondent is at liberty to seize the Passport of the petitioner and hand over the same to the concerned Court namely the Judicial Magistrate, Pattukottai.
6.With the above said direction, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.
19/08/2025 Internet :Yes/No Index :Yes/No NCC : Yes/No er To, 1.The Inspector of Police, Adiramapattinam Police Station, Thanjavur District.
2.The Government Advocate (Criminal side), Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
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C.SARAVANAN,J er 19/08/2025 6/6