P.A.B.Sri Lakshmi v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 12.08.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN P.A.B.Sri Lakshmi ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer, Bharathi Ula Street, Race Course Road, Near Thamaraithotti Bus Stop, K.K Nagar, Race Course Colony, Madurai.

2.The Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, Madurai.

...Respondents

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to reissue / renew the petitioner's passport bearing No.F9965317 for the period of Ten years by considering the petitioner's online application dated 09.07.2025 and her subsequent representation dated 21.07.2025 within a time that may be stipulated by this court.

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For Petitioner : Mr.R.Venkatesan For M/s.Right Law Associates For R1 : Mr.R.Senthil Kumar Central Government Standing Counsel For R2 : Mr.Vaikam Karunanithi Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed for a writ of Mandamus to direct the first respondent to reissue / renew the petitioner's passport bearing No.F9965317 for the period of Ten years by considering the petitioner's online application dated 09.07.2025 and her subsequent representation dated 21.07.2025.

2. The petitioner is the holder of passport bearing No.N6642519 issue on 28.01.2016, which was valid up to 27.01.2016.

3. It is confirmed that the petitioner is the Managing Trustee of the Puliyadi A.Balusamy Iyer Trust. It appears that the suit was also filed in O.S.No.749 of 2013 before the II Additional Sub Judge, Madurai, wherein the petitioner's son Karna Alagarsamy was impleaded as the third plaintiff along with two others, who have filed the said suit in his capacity as trustee of the aforesaid Trust. The suit was filed for declaration that the plaintiffs are the 2/6

trustees of the aforesaid Trust and the suit was decreed by the said Court vide judgment and decree dated 25.01.2023.

4. It appears that the petitioner is one of the accused in Crime No.23 of 2014, registered by the District Crime Branch, Land Grabbing, Madurai. Pursuant to which, a charge sheet has been filed and case has been taken on record in C.C.No.1556 of 2023 before the Judicial Magistrate - I, Madurai. The case has not progressed after the charge sheet was filed.

5. The petitioner apprehends that her passport will not be renewed. In fact, the petitioner has been called upon to give a reply as adverse police report has been received with reference to the aforesaid criminal case in Crime No.23 of 2014 which has now been culminated in the filing of a charge sheet and the same has to be taken on record in C.C.No.1556 of 2025 before the Judicial Magistrate - I, Madurai.

6. Although the involvement of the petitioner in a Criminal case would act as a bare for issuance of passport, the Division Bench of this Court in the case of The Regional Passport Officer, Chennai Vs. Samsudeen Mohamed Salih and another ( W.A.No.902 of 2023, dated 02.06.2023) has taken a 3/6

contra view. Therefore, the passport is deseves to be renewed in terms of the aforesaid order of this Court.

7.To balance the interest, The Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, PSP Division has issued an Office Memorandum, dated 10.10.2019.

8. Considering the same, there shall be direction to the first respondent to renew the passport pursuant to the petitioner's passport application dated 09.07.2025 within a period of 2 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The petitioner shall however surrender the passport to the Court in case sheet is filed and before proceeding further, the petitioner shall file a suitable application before the Judicial Magistrate - I, Madurai, for appropriate permission to travel abroad.

9. The writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. 12.08.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No sn 4/6

To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Bharathi Ula Street, Race Course Road, Near Thamaraithotti Bus Stop, K.K Nagar, Race Course Colony, Madurai.

2.The Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, Madurai.

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C.SARAVANAN, J.

sn W.P(MD).No.21961 of 2025 12.08.2025 6/6