R.Ananthan v. The Regional Passport Officer,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 01.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR R.Ananthan ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer, The Regional Passport Office, Tiruchirapalli, New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar 7th Street, Tiruchirappalli 620018. 2.The State of Tamilnadu Through its The Inspector of Police, Pattukottai Taluk Police Station, Thanjavur 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 renewal of petitioner Passport bearing No.P8782851 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 26.03.2026. For Petitioner :Mr.V.Dinesh Kumar For R1 :Mr.R.Paranjothi Central Government Standing Counsel For R2 :Mr.R.Mohamed Riyaz Government Advocate (Crl.side) ***** 1/5

O R D E R

Heard Mr. V. Dinesh Kumar, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, Mr. R. Paranjothi, learned Central Government Standing Counsel, who accepts notice on behalf of the first respondent, and Mr. R. Mohamed Riyaz, learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side), who accepts notice on behalf of the second respondent. 2.The petitioner is before this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to consider and dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 26.03.2026 seeking re-issuance of his passport.

3.Mr. R. Paranjothi, learned Central Government Standing Counsel appearing for the first respondent, on instructions, submitted that the petitioner's request for re-issuance of passport has not been considered on the ground that the petitioner had earlier obtained a passport dated 21.07.1998 by suppressing material particulars and that the said passport was subsequently re-issued on 19.02.2005. According to the learned 2/5

Standing Counsel, obtaining a passport by suppressing material particulars constitutes an offence under Sections 10(3)(b) and 12(1)(b) of the Passport Act, 1967.

4.At this juncture, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is willing to surrender the second passport before the competent authority and seek consideration of his request in accordance with law.

5.Taking note of the submissions made on either side, and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the petitioner's claim, this Court is of the view that the petitioner's representation deserves to be considered by the competent authority in accordance with law. 6.Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 26.03.2026 on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, after taking into account all relevant facts and circumstances, including the petitioner's offer to surrender the second passport. 3/5

7.The aforesaid exercise shall be completed within a period of four

(4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 8.There shall be no order as to costs.

Index :Yes / No 01.06.2026 NCC :Yes / No cmr To The Inspector of Police, Pattukottai Taluk Police Station, Thanjavur District.

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HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

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