Palaniselvam M v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 22.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR Writ Petition(MD)No.16153 of 2026 and W.M.P(MD)No.12067 of 2026 M.Palaniselvam .. Petitioner Vs 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625 002.

2.The Inspector of Police, Melavalavu Police Station, Melavalavu, Melur Taluk, Madurai District.

..Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records of the first respondent's impugned communication No.SCN/1053804275/26 dated 17.02.2026 and quash the same and consequently, direct the first respondent to renewal of petitioner's passport bearing No.C2070034 dated 21.10.2024 to him by considering his application No.MD5076234618426 dated 08.01.2026 and for other relief within a period stipulated by this Court.

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For Petitioner : Mr.S.Atham Ali For Respondents : Mrs.S.Mahalakshmi Central Govt. Standing Counsel for R1 Mr.R.Mohamed Riyaz Govt. Advocate (Crl. Side) for R2

ORDER

The petitioner is before this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records of the first respondent's impugned communication No.SCN/1053804275/26 dated 17.02.2026 and quash the same and consequently, direct the first respondent to renewal of petitioner's passport bearing No.C2070034 dated 21.10.2024 to him by considering his application No.MD5076234618426 dated 08.01.2026 within a stipulated time.

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 Judicial Magistrate, Melur, in C.C. No.735 of 2025.

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 re2/4

issue/renewal of a 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 two weeks from the date of filing of the application. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

22.06.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet:Yes skn To The Inspector of Police, Melavalavu Police Station, Melavalavu, Melur Taluk, Madurai District.

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HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

skn Writ Petition(MD)No.16153 of 2026 and W.M.P(MD)No.12067 of 2026 22.06.2026 4/4