Madras High CourtCRL MP(MD)/9433/2025disposed of

John Ravindranath v. The State Of Tamil Nadu

2025-09-08Honourable Mr Justice Sunder Mohan6 pages

CRL MP(MD) Nos. 9433& 9434 of 2025 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 08-09-2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN CRL MP(MD) Nos. 9433 & 9434 of 2025 in CRL OP(MD) Nos. 21602 of 2024 & 4341 of 2025 John Ravindranath S/o Soundararajan, B9, Block 2, City Side Apartment, No. 4/361 OMR Kottivakkam, Perungudi, Kanchipuram District.

Petitioner(s) Vs The State of Tamil Nadu Rep by The Inspector of Police, CCD III, CCD- III Police station, Thanjavur District. Crime No. 33/2023

2. Rajasekar S/o Balakrishnan, Kurichi Main Road, Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk, Thanjavur District.

Respondent(s) Prayer:

To grant permission to the petitioner to travel abroad for business purposes from 22.07.2025 to 30.10.2025 tentatively after obtaining prior permission of this Honble court pending disposal of the Criminal Original petition in CrlO.P(MD)No.21602/24 1/6

CRL MP(MD) No.9434 of 2025 John Ravindranath S/o Soundararajan, B9, Block 2, City Side Apartment, No.4/361, MR Kottivakkam, Perungudi, Kanchipuram District. Petitioner(s) Vs The State of Tamilnadu through the Inspector of Police, Pandhanallur Police Station, Thanjavur District. In Crime No.97 of 2023

2. Rajasekar S/o Balakrishnan, Kurichi Main Road, Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk, Thanjavur District.

Respondent(s) (In both Petitions) For Petitioner(s):

Mr.N.Anandhapadmanabhan, for M/s. APN Law Associates S.Sukumar K.P.Ilakkiya (6365/2022) R.Sivaprasath (3468/2024) For Respondent(s):

Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi Government Advocate (Crl.side) for R1 Mr.S. Ramakrishnan for R2 in Crl.MP(MD)No.9434/2025 Prayer:

C-60. To grant permission to the petitioner to travel abroad for business purposes from 22.07.2025 to 30.10.2025, tentatively, after obtaining prior permission of this Honble Court, pending disposal of the Criminal Original Petition in Crl.O.P.(MD) 2/6

No.4341 of 2025.

COMMON ORDER The petitioner in both the petitions has sought for a direction to travel Abroad, pending disposal of the Criminal Original Petitions. He has filed these petitions pursuant to an order passed by this Court in W.P.No.35682 of 2024 dated 03.04.2025.

2. The petitioner has filed the petitions in Crl.O.P.(MD)Nos. 21602 of 2024 and 4341 of 2025 seeking to quash the proceedings in C.C.No.103 of 2024 and C.C.No.5 of 2025 respectively. Earlier, when the petitioner had filed a Writ Petition in W.P.No.35682 of 2024, for re-issuance of his passport before the Principal Bench of this Court, the Principal Bench had directed the respondents to re-issue the passport with further observation that the petitioner should obtain permission of this Court, in which the quash petitions are pending, for going Abroad.

3. The relevant observations in the said W.P.No.35682 of 2024, is as follows: "4. As far as the criminal case is concerned, a status report has been filed on behalf of the concerned Inspector of Police. It is stated that there are three FIRs pending against the petitioner. First case in Crime No.53 of 2023 is under investigation, the second case in Crime No.33 of 2023 culminated in C.C.No. 5 of 2024 and the petitioner has filed a quash application in Crl.O.P.(MD)No. 21602 of 2024, wherein his personal appearance is dispensed with and the matter is pending. The third case in Crime No.97 of 2023, 3/6

corresponding to C.C. No.103 of 2024, the petitioner has challenged the same by way of Crl.O.P.(MD)No. 4341 of 2025, wherein a stay has been granted, and the matter is pending.

5. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is a businessman who often visits China and other countries in connection with his business, and every time, he cannot be approaching the concerned Criminal Court. There is no condition that he must approach the Criminal Court every time. However, if he wants to make multiple exits to various foreign countries and to make multiple visits, the application itself can state that he may be permitted to visit multiple foreign countries with multiple entries and exits and the same will be considered by the concerned Court. This Court, in the judgment in N.Chandrababu v. Sub Inspector of Police and another (2017 SSC Online Mad 37723), has decided that if the matter is pending in the quash application, then the High Court would be the concerned Court.

6. In view thereof, this writ petition is disposed of on the following terms:

(i) The first respondent is directed to consider the application of the petitioner and re-issue the passport dehors the pendency of the above criminal cases if there is no other impediment.

(ii) The said exercise shall be carried out within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of the web copy of the order without waiting for the certified copy of the order. (iii) The petitioner shall get the permission of this Court in the concerned criminal O.Ps. by filing an appropriate application before leaving abroad. Needless to mention that the same can also be a comprehensive application for multiple visits. No costs. "

4. Since the petitioner has filed the quash petitions before this Court, he seeks 4/6

permission of this Court to travel Abroad in terms of the above order. In fact, in para 6(iii) of the said order, this Court had permitted the petitioner to seek permission for multiple visits.

5. It is seen from the petition and the petitioner's passport that he is a frequent traveller. Therefore, this Court is of the view that the permission can be granted to the petitioner to travel abroad as and when he desires. However, the petitioner shall file an affidavit informing the concerned learned Magistrate in both the Calender Cases referred above mentioning the date of departure and arrival, whenever he travels Abroad.

6. With the above observations, these petitions are disposed of. sd/- 08/09/2025 / TRUE COPY / /09/2025 Sub-Assistant Registrar (C.S.-I/ II /III/ IV) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.

LS To

1. The Judicial Magistrate No. I, Thanjavur District.

2. The District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Thiruvidaimaruthur, Thanjavur District.

3.The Inspector of Police, CCD III, CCD- III Police station, Thanjavur District. 5/6

4.The Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

+1 CC to M/S.APN LAW ASSOCIATES, Advocate ( SR-56759[I] dated 09/09/2025 )

ORDER

IN CRL MP(MD) Nos. 9433 & 9434 of 2025 in CRL OP(MD) Nos. 21602 of 2024 & 4341 of 2025 Date :08/09/2025 PS/SAR.10.09.2025 6P/6C Madurai Bench of Madras High Court is issuing certified copies in this format from 17/07/2023 6/6