M.Imran Khan v. Union Of India

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 01.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR M.Imran Khan ... Petitioner vs.

1.Union of India, Rep by its Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

2.The Regional Passport Officer, W4VR, 768 Bharathi Ula Veethi, Near Thamaraithotti, Madurai 2.

3.The Immigration Officer, Bureau of Immigration, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, 4.The Regional Passport Enquiry Officer, W4VR, 768, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Near Thamaraithotti, Madurai 2.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to return/reissue the petitioner's passport bearing No. L8932497 dated 1/5

21.04.2014, which was seized at Thiruvananthapuram Airport on 21.01.2022, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court and consequently permit the petitioner to travel abroad. For Petitioner :Mr.S.Srikanth For Respondents :R.Saravanakumar Central Government Standing Counsel *****

O R D E R

Heard Mr. S. Srikanth, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, and Mr. R. Saravana Kumar, learned Central Government Standing Counsel, who accepts notice on behalf of the respondents. 2.The petitioner is before this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to return the petitioner's passport bearing No. L8932497, dated 21.04.2014, which was seized at Thiruvananthapuram Airport on 21.01.2022.

3.The petitioner's passport was seized on the ground that the petitioner had travelled to Yemen, which is a country in respect of which travel restrictions have been imposed for Indian citizens. 2/5

4.Mr. R. Saravana Kumar, learned Central Government Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents, on instructions, submitted that an enquiry has been conducted and that the petitioner has participated in the said enquiry. He further submitted that the respondents are prepared to return the petitioner's passport and that the petitioner's request for reissuance of a passport would be considered independently upon submission of the necessary application in accordance with law. The said submission is placed on record.

5.In view of the aforesaid submission, no further adjudication is required in the present writ petition. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the first respondent to return the petitioner's passport bearing No. L8932497, dated 21.04.2014, within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 6.Liberty is reserved to the petitioner to submit an appropriate application before the competent authority seeking re-issuance of the passport. Upon such application being made, the same shall be considered on its own merits and in accordance with law. 3/5

7.There shall be no order as to costs.

Index :Yes / No 01.06.2026 NCC :Yes / No cmr 4/5

HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

cmr 01.06.2026 5/5