M.Ibrahim v. The Regional Passport Officer
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 06.08.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR M.Ibrahim ... Appellant Vs.
1. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625002.
2. The Commissioner of Police, Madurai.
3. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Law and Order (South), Madurai City, Madurai.
4. The Inspector of Police, Vilakuthoon Police Station, Madurai.
... Respondents 1/6
Prayer : Writ Appeal filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to allow the writ appeal by setting aside the order passed in W.P.(MD)No.30357 of 2024 dated 09.01.2025 on the file of this Court. For Appellant : Mr.K.Yasar Arafath For Respondents : Mr.R.M.Arun Swaminathan, Central Govt. Standing Counsel for R1.
Mr.T.Senthilkumar, Addl. Public Prosecutor for R2 to R4.
JUDGMENT
(By G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.) Heard both sides.
2.The appellant applied to the Regional Transport Officer, Madurai for issuance of passport for a period of ten years. Since it was not considered, he filed W.P.(MD)No.30357 of 2024. The learned Single Judge vide order dated 09.01.2025 dismissed the writ petition taking into account the track record and antecedents of the appellant. Aggrieved by the dismissal order, this writ appeal has been filed. 2/6
3.Before us, the appellant filed an affidavit. Paragraph No.3 and 4 of the affidavit read as follows:- "3.I hereby solemnly affirm and undertake before this Hon'ble Court that I am seeking the issuance of a passport solely and exclusively for the purpose of undertaking the holy pilgrimage of Umrah and Haj to Makkah and Madinah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with my family for the period of two years. At present, the Hajj Committee will be commencing shortly, but most people are already in the queue for the Hajj pilgrimage. Hence, I humbly request this Hon'ble Court to grant me the option to choose the two-year period of passport as per my convenience and availability, and I further affirm that I will not be using this passport for any travel other than for the said pilgrimage purpose.
4.I further undertake that I shall not misuse the passport for any other purpose, and I shall strictly adhere to the conditions and limitations, if any, imposed by the authorities concerned."
4.As on date, there is no criminal case pending against the writ petitioner. Therefore, he is not disqualified from applying for passport. However, taking note of the special circumstances obtaining in this case, 3/6
we are of the view that passport can be directed to be issued only for a limited period of two years. The appellant is also directed to adhere to the undertaking given before this Court. The order of the learned Single Judge is set aside and the writ appeal is allowed on these terms. No costs.
(G.R.S. J.,) & (K.R.S. J.,) 06.08.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No ias To:
1. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625002.
2. The Commissioner of Police, Madurai.
3. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Law and Order (South), Madurai City, Madurai.
4. The Inspector of Police, Vilakuthoon Police Station, Madurai.
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G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.
and K.RAJASEKAR, J.
ias 06.08.2025 6/6