Johnsi Rachal v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 13.08.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN Johnsi Rachal ... Petitioner Vs The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Trichy District.

... Respondent PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondent to return the petitioner's Passport bearing PP No.K.2721208, expired on 06.02.2023 within the period stipulated by this Court.

For petitioner : Mr. N.Juliet Latha For respondent : Mr.K.Govindarajan Deputy Solicitor General of India Asst. by M/s.S.Deepa Central Government Standing Counsel ***** 1/5

ORDER

This Writ Petition is disposed of at the time of admission with the consent of the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Deputy Solicitor General of India for the respondent.

2. The petitioner was a holder of the passport No.K.2721208, which was issued for a period between 07.02.2013 and 06.02.2023.

3. It appears that the petitioner's passport was seized, while the petitioner was returned to Trichy Airport. Thereafter, the petitioner has been giving repeated representations to return the passport.

4. It is further submitted that the petitioner has also given several representations for renewal of the aforesaid passport, as the petitioner is unable to get employment in India and has proceeded to get employment in abroad.

5. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that there is no legal basis on which the respondent has refused to renew the passport in No.K.2721208. 2/5

6. The learned Deputy Solicitor General of India for the respondent, on the other hand, submits that the petitioner's request is under consideration.

7. I have considered the arguments advanced by the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Deputy Solicitor General of India for the respondent.

8. The passport that was seized earlier has not been returned to the petitioner. Even if the petitioner had lost the passport, the said passport is of no in use as on date as the passport has expired on 06.02.2023. Therefore, there is no question of renewal of the passport, which has already expired.

9. At best, the petitioner can file a fresh passport application, which has to be considered and processed in accordance with the provisions of Indian Passport Act, 1967 and Rules made thereunder. Therefore, this Writ Petition is dismissed with a liberty to file a fresh passport application, which shall be considered and processed by the respondent in accordance with law within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

10. This Writ Petition is disposed of, with the above observations. No costs. 3/5

Index : Yes / No 13.08.2025 Internet : Yes / No apd To The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Trichy District.

4/5

C.SARAVANAN, J.

apd 13.08.2025 5/5