Samy Ravichandran v. The Passport Officer,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 26.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR Samy Ravichandran ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar 7th Cross, Trichy -620 018.

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

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the first respondent to issue a passport to the petitioner based on his application No.TR1067352197125 within the time stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner :Mr.K.M.Karunakaran For R1 :Mr.M.Mithun Central Government Standing Counsel For R2 :Mr.R.Mohamed Riyaz Government Advocate (Crl.side) ***** 1/4

O R D E R

The petitioner is before this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to issue a passport to the petitioner based on the petitioner's application bearing Application No. TR1067352197125.

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 Court, Pattukottai, in C.C. No. 167 of 2024.

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 re-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 2/4

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.

Index :Yes / No 26.06.2026 Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No cmr To The Inspector of Police, Madukkur Police Station, Thanjavur District.

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HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

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