Murugan v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 02.07.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN W.P(MD).No.17888 of 2025 Murugan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Tiruchirapalli New Municipal Complex, Thillai Nagar 7th Cross, Tiruchirappalli - 620 018.

2.The Inspector of Police, Thiruchitrambalam Police Station, Thanjavur District.

...Respondents

Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1st respondent to renew the petitioners Passport in Passport No.N4121726 in reference to the File No.TRI077472669725 dated 10.03.2025, pending on the file of the 1st respondent Authorities.

For Petitioner : Mr.A.Arputharaj For R1 : Mr.S.Mahalakshmi, ..... Senior Counsel For R2 : K.Sanjai Gandhi Government Advocate (Crl.Side) 1/5

ORDER

This Writ Petition is disposed of at the time of admission after hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned counsel for the second respondent.

2. The petitioner has approached this Court for direction to renew his passport. It appears that the petitioner holds a passport, which is valid between 19.10.2015 and 18.10.2025. The petitioner applied for renewal of passport on 10.03.2025, however, it has not been considered in view of pendency of the First Information Report. It is noticed that the petitioner is arrayed as 3rd accused in Crime No.188 of 2023 dated 09.09.2023 for the offences punishable under Sections 294(b), 324 and 506(ii) of IPC before the second respondent Police.

3. The second respondent would submit that Charge Sheet has been filed against the petitioner on 03.06.2025 electronically before the Judicial Magistrate, Peravurani.

2/5

4. It is noticed that as per Section 6(2)(f) of Indian Passport Act, 1967, there is no scope for issuance of passport to the petitioner. However, the Division Bench of this Court has passed an order in the case of The Regional Passport Officer, Chennai Vs. Samsudeen Mohamed Salih and others, dated 02.06.2023 (W.A.No.902 of 2023) held that there can be no impediment in renewing the passport since the passport already has been issued to the applicant.

5. Considering the same, there shall be a direction to the first respondent to renew the passport of the petitioner. However, renewed passport shall directly sent to the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Peravurani in connection with the First Information Report registered against the petitioner in Crime No.188 of 2023 dated 09.09.2023 on the file of the second respondent. In case, the petitioner proposes to travel abroad, the petitioner may prefer suitable application for retrieving the same.

3/5

6. With the above said liberty, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.

02.07.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Indu To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Tiruchirapalli New Municipal Complex, Thillai Nagar 7th Cross, Tiruchirappalli - 620 018.

2.The Inspector of Police, Thiruchitrambalam Police Station, Thanjavur District.

4/5

C.SARAVANAN, J.

Indu W.P(MD).No.17888 of 2025 02.07.2025 5/5