Babu v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 24.07.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN W.P(MD) No.20169 of 2025 Babu ... Petitioner Vs.

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

2.The Passport Seva Kendra Officer (Trichy), Plot No.A5, Salai Road, And Shastri Road Junction, Thilai Nagar, Trichirapali - 620001.

3.The Inspector of Police, Alangudi Police Station, Pudukkottai 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 1st respondent to Re-Issue of petitioner's passport bearing No.J3510950 on the basis of the application File No.TR2077190877124 based on petitioner's application, dated 09.12.2024 and representation dated 09.12.2024 within the time stipulated by this Court.

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For Petitioner : Mr.A.Danielleo For R1and R2 : Mr.S.Mariyappan For R3 : Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi Government Advocate (Crl side)

ORDER

The petitioner was a holder of a passport, which expired on 25.08.2020. Thereafter, the petitioner applied for a fresh passport on 09.12.2024, which has not yet been processed. It appears that the petitioner was involved in Crime No.114 of 2018 for the offences punishable under Sections 294(b), 323, and 506(i) of the IPC, in which he was acquitted in C.C.No.184 of 2018. He was also involved in Crime No.38 of 2019 for the offences punishable under Sections 294(b), 323, 324, and 506(ii) of the IPC, for which, the charge sheet has been made ready but not yet filed before the concerned Court. Further, in Crime No.124 of 2013 for the offence punishable under Section 4(1)(k) of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, the petitioner was convicted and a fine of Rs.1,000/- was imposed by the learned Judicial Magistrate, Pudukkottai.

Apart from the above, the petitioner is also involved in two other criminal cases in Crime Nos.82 of 2025 and 38 of 2019, which are still under investigation.

passport application dated 09.12.2024.

2. Under these circumstances, there shall be a direction to the first respondent to issue the passport to the petitioner as expeditiously as possible. In case, charge sheet is filed against the petitioner before the concerned Court pursuant to the aforesaid Crime Nos.38 of 2019 and 82 of 2025, the petitioner shall surrender the passport before the concerned Court. In case the petitioner proposes to travel abroad, the petitioner may file a suitable application before concerned Court to retrieve the same.

3. The petitioner is further directed to co-operate with the concerned trial Court and the respondents. It is made clear that in case, the petitioner fails to co-operate with the respective Courts and with the respondents, it is open to the first respondent to take steps to cancel the passport that may be issued to the petitioner.

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4. With the above directions, this Writ Petitions is disposed of. No costs. 24.07.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Indu To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, New Municipal Complex, Thillai Nagar 7th Cross, Trichirapalli - 620 018.

2.The Passport Seva Kendra Officer (Trichy), Plot No.A5, Salai Road, And Shastri Road Junction, Thilai Nagar, Trichirapali - 620001.

3.The Inspector of Police, Alangudi Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

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C.SARAVANAN, J.

Indu W.P(MD) No.20169 of 2025 24.07.2025 5/5