Manikandan K v. The Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 12.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR and W.M.P.(MD)No.11946 of 2026 K.Manikandan ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625 002.

2.The Assistant Commissioner of Customs, Customs Preventive Unit, Madurai.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records of the 1st respondent's impugned communication in Letter Reference No. REM/1053234533/26 dated 08.01.2026 and quash the same and consequently, to direct the 1st respondent to renewal of the petitioner's passport bearing No. M8652895 dated 27.04.2015 by considering his application No. MD1078263769715 dated 10.01.2025 and for other reliefs within a period stipulated by this Court. 1/5

For Petitioner :Mr.S.Atham Ali For R1 :Mr.M.Mithun Central Government Standing Counsel For R2 :Mr.R.Gowrishankar Central Government Standing Counsel *****

O R D E R

The petitioner challenges the communication dated 08.01.2026 issued by the first respondent, whereby he was called upon to furnish a response pursuant to the show-cause notice dated 21.03.2023 in connection with his application for re-issuance of passport. 2.Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Central Government Standing Counsel appearing for the respondent.

3.The records disclose that the petitioner had submitted an application seeking re-issuance of passport. In connection therewith, the first respondent issued a show-cause notice calling upon the petitioner to furnish certain particulars and relevant documents. Since the petitioner did not furnish the required information, the impugned communication 2/5

dated 08.01.2026 came to be issued.

4.Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that a criminal case registered against the petitioner in C.C. No.357 of 2020 has culminated in conviction with imposition of a fine of Rs.49,000/-. It is further submitted that the petitioner has already paid the fine amount and is in a position to produce the relevant records before the respondent. 5.Learned Central Government Standing Counsel appearing for the respondent submits that if the petitioner furnishes a certified copy of the judgment/order passed in C.C. No.357 of 2020 together with proof of payment of the fine amount, the petitioner's application for re-issuance of passport will be considered on its own merits and in accordance with law, subject to fulfillment of the other statutory requirements. The said submission is placed on record.

6.In view of the above submission, no further adjudication is required in the present writ petition.

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7.Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of with a direction to the petitioner to furnish a certified copy of the judgment/order passed in C.C. No.357 of 2020 and proof of payment of the fine amount before the first respondent.

8.Upon receipt of the aforesaid documents, the first respondent shall consider the petitioner's application for re-issuance of passport on its own merits and in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders, subject to the petitioner satisfying all other eligibility requirements. 9.The aforesaid exercise shall be completed within a period of four

(4) weeks from the date of receipt of the documents from the petitioner. 10.There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

Index :Yes / No 12.06.2026 Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No cmr 4/5

HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

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