Sudalaikani V v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 15.07.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN W.P(MD) No.19067 of 2025 Sudalaikani V ... Petitioner Vs.

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

Tamil Nadu.

2.State represented by The Inspector of Police, Rajapalayam North Police Station, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District.

...Respondents

Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent herein to re-issue the passport as per Online Application Receipt Ref. No. 25-1054693640 in respect of Passport No.M4258452, File No.MD1078123779314 originally issued on 09.12.2024 and expired on 08.12.2024.

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For Petitioner : Mr.K.Appadurai For R1 : Mr.P.Santhosh Kumar Central Government Standing Counsel For R2 : Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

This Writ Petition is disposed of at the time of admission after hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Central Government Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the first respondent and the learned Government Advocate appearing on behalf of the second respondent.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is a Thavil Artist and he is frequently visiting abroad for the cultural events. It is submitted that the petitioner's mother is running a small tobacco shop in her village and for the offence committed by the petitioner's mother by selling tobacco, the petitioner has been arrayed as accused one after another in First Information Reports registered in Crime Nos.664 of 2020 and 217 of 2021 for the offences punishable under Sections 328 IPC and Section 24 of COTPA Act before the second respondent Police Staion. Further, the petitioner has paid the 2/5

fine amount in above cases before the concerned Court.

3. The learned Government Advocate appearing on behalf of the second respondent on the other hand would submit that another First Information Report has been registered against the petitioner in Crime No.182 of 2022 for the offences punishable under Section 328 of IPC and Section 24(1) of COTPA Act, which is still under investigation and no charge sheet has been filed against the petitioner.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner however submits that the petitioner is unaware of the third First Information Report registered against the petitioner in Crime No.182 of 2022.

5. Be that as it may, considering the fact that no case is pending against the petitioner, there can be no impediment for directing the respondent No.1 to process the passport application of the petitioner. 3/5

6. Accordingly, there shall be a direction to the first respondent to issue the passport to the petitioner within a period of one month from the date of receipt of copy of this order.

7. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. 15.07.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Indu To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Madurai, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625 002.

Tamil Nadu.

2.State represented by The Inspector of Police, Rajapalayam North Police Station, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District.

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C.SARAVANAN, J.

Indu W.P(MD) No.19067 of 2025 15.07.2025 5/5