Shankaranaryanan, v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 04.09.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE P.T.ASHA Writ Petition(MD)No.23320 of 2025 Shankaranarayanan ..Petitioner Vs 1 The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai.

2 The Superintendent of Police Madurai District.

3 The Inspector of Police Melur Police Station, Madurai.

4 The Inspector of Police Keelavalavu Police Station, Madurai 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 passport to the petitioner considering his application bearing No. ARN. 24-1013445399 dated 05.11.2024 for normal period of 10 years. 1/5

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Suriya Narayanan for Mr.S.Sakthi Siddharth For Respondents : Mr.K.Sankaranarayanan Central Govt. Standing Counsel (for R1) Mr.S.Prakash Govt. Advocate (crl.side)(for R2 to R4)

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed directing the 1st respondent to reissue passport to the petitioner considering his application bearing No. ARN. 24-1013445399 dated 05.11.2024 for normal period of 10 years. 2.

Heard R.Suriya Narayanan, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.K.Sankaranarayanan learned counsel for 1st respondent and Mr.S.Prakash Government Advocate[Crl side] for the respondents 2 to 4.

3. It is seen that there are several criminal cases pending against the petitioner.

4.

In the considered view of this Court, the law on this issue is now too well settled. Useful reference can be made to the judgement of the Division Bench of this Court in WA No.902 of 2023 wherein the Division Bench has held that insofar as the re~issuance of passport is concerned, it 2/5

is not necessary for the concerned person to get the permission from the Court. Only when it comes to travelling abroad, the concerned person must seek for permission from the Court where the criminal case is pending. 5.

Considering the above, there is no impediment for the issuance of passport with regular period of 10 years and therefore, there shall be a direction to the 1st respondent to act upon the application submitted by the petitioner and re~issue the passport in the name of the petitioner, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, if the petitioner satisfies all the other requirements. If the petitioner wants to go abroad, the petitioner has to necessarily seek for the permission from the Court where the criminal cases are pending.

6.

This writ petition is allowed. No costs.

04.09.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet:Yes skn 3/5

To 1 The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai.

2 The Superintendent of Police Madurai District.

3 The Inspector of Police Melur Police Station, Madurai.

4 The Inspector of Police Keelavalavu Police Station, Madurai District.

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P.T.ASHA, J.

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