M.Santhosh v. The Regional Passport Officer,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 16.12.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR W.P(MD)No.32315 of 2025 M.Santhosh

...Petitioner

Vs

1. The Regional Passport Officer, Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625 002.

2. The Inspector of Police, Melur Police Station, Melur, Melur Taluk, 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 first respondent to issue the Passport to the petitioner in reference to the file No.MD1067219694724, dated 17.12.2024 and Letter Ref.No. SCN/320499987/ 25 dated 15th January 2025 pending on the file of the first respondent by considering the petitioner's representation dated 12.08.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.N.Mohamed Ayyadurai 1/5

For R1 : Mr.G.Ramanathan Central Government Standing Counsel For R2 : Mrs.M.Aasha Government Advocate (Criminal Side)

O R D E R

The present writ petition has been filed seeking a Mandamus as against the first respondent to issue a passport to the petitioner based upon his application dated 17.12.2024.

2. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the second respondent brought to the notice of this Court that the petitioner has been implicated in a criminal case in Crime No.22 of 2024 on the file of the second respondent. Since the petitioner was juvenile at the time of alleged offence, the second respondent said to have filed a charge sheet before the Juvenile Justice Board on 02.05.2024.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that a copy application has been filed before the Juvenile Justice Board, Madurai, on 11.12.2025 seeking a copy of the charge sheet and the same has been returned stating that charge sheet is not yet filed.

2/5

4. This Court in a judgment reported in 2014 8 MLJ 61 (Mr.W.Jaihar Willam Vs.the State of Tamil Nadu) has held that mere pendency of FIR would not be a legal impediment for issuance of passport.

5. In view of the above said facts, the first respondent is directed to consider the request of the writ petitioner and pass orders within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

6. With the above said observation, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

16.12.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No ebsi 3/5

To

1. The Regional Passport Officer, Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625 002.

2. The Inspector of Police, Melur Police Station, Melur, Melur Taluk, Madurai District.

3. The Juvenile Justice Board, Madurai.

4/5

R.VIJAYAKUMAR,J.

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