Palanivel, v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 10.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR Palanivel ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, New Trichy Municipal Office Building, Thillai Nagar 7th Cross, Trichy 620 018.

2.The Inspector of Police, Vadakadu Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Alangudi Police Station, Pudukkottai 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 renew the Petitioners Passport in Passport No. M4174381 in reference to the Petitioner's Application Ref.No.24-1010507383 in No.TR2076875707124 dated 21.08.2024 on the file of the 1st Respondent Authorities, within the stipulated time fixed by this Court. 1/5

For Petitioner :Mr.K.Malaimaran For R1 :Mrs.M.Anbarasi Central Government Standing Counsel For R2 :Mr.R.Mohamed Riyaz Government Advocate (crl.side) *****

O R D E R

The petitioner is before this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to re-issue the passport to the petitioner based on the petitioner's application bearing Application No. Application Ref.No.24-1010507383 in No.TR2076875707124 dated 21.08.2024.

2. The petitioner's request for issuance of a passport has not been processed on the ground that a criminal case is pending against the petitioner before the District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate Court, in C.C. No. 100 of 2026.

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 2/5

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 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. No costs.

Index :Yes / No 10.06.2026 Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No cmr 3/5

To 1.The Inspector of Police, Vadakadu Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

2.The Inspector of Police, Alangudi Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

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HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

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