Thiyagumani, v. The Regional Passport Officer,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 20.04.2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR W.P.(MD)No.11111 of 2026 Thiyagumani .. Petitioner - Vs. -

1. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Tiruchirappalli, New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar 7th Cross, Tiruchirappalli District 620018.

2. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep by the Inspector of Police, Thiruvonam Police Station, Thanjavur District.

.. Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to issue passport to the petitioner by considering the pettioner's application in File No. TR1076569347626 dated 18.03.2026, within a time frame as may be fixed by this Court.

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For Petitioner : Mr.T.Eashwar For Respondents : Mr.M.Vaikkam Karunanithi Government Advocate(Crl. Side) for R2

ORDER

The petitioner is before this Court seeking for a direction to the first respondent to issue passport by considering the petitioner's application in File No. TR1076569347626 dated 18.03.2026.

2. The grievance of the petitioner is that the petitioner's application has not been considered citing that a criminal case is pending against the petitioner in C.C.No. 198 of 2025 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate Court, Orathanadu,.

3. The Hon'ble Full Bench of this Court in W.P.(MD) No. 26547 of 2025, while answering a reference as to whether the re-issue/renewal of a passport should be treated in the same manner as the issuance of a fresh passport or merely as a case of renewal, held that the re-issue/renewal of a passport must be treated in the same manner as the issuance of a fresh passport. However, liberty was granted to the petitioner therein to obtain 2/6

prior 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 weeks from the date of filing of the application. In the event of trial Court granted permission to the petitioner for renewing the passport, the first respondent shall process the application of the petitioner and pass appropriate orders on merits in accordance with law within a period of three (3) weeks from the date of fresh application submitted by the petitioner.

5. There shall be no order as to costs.

20.04.2026 Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes/No NCC :Yes/No PJL 3/6

To

1. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Tiruchirappalli, New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar 7th Cross, Tiruchirappalli District 620018.

2. The Inspector of Police, Thiruvonam Police Station, Thanjavur District.

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HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

PJL W.P.(MD)No.11111 of 2026 20.04.2026 6/6