Manoj M v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 07.01.2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR W.P.(MD)No.62 of 2026 M.Manoj

...Petitioner

Vs

1. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Madurai, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai, Tamil Nadu - 625 002.

2. The Inspector of Police, Kodaikkanal Police Station, Dindigul.

...Respondents

PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to process the petitioner's application in Application No.MD1075923495925 and consequently direct the 1st respondent to issue Passport considering the representation of the petitioner dated 15.12.2025 within a stipulated time. 1/4

For Petitioner : M/s.M.Divakaran For Respondents : M/s.A.Devarajan Central Government Standing Counsel for R1 M/s.M.Aasha Government Advocate(crl.side) for R2

ORDER

The present writ petition has been filed seeking a mandamus as against the first respondent for issuance of the passport based upon his application dated 15.12.2025.

2. The learned Government Advocate(crl.side) appearing for the second respondent brought to the notice of the Court that the petitioner has been implicated in a criminal case in Cr.No.238 of 2016 on the file of Kodaikanal Police Station, Dindigul District, which has culminated in filing of a chargesheet before learned Judicial Magistrate Court, Kodaikanal on 04.09.2016. According to the learned Government Advocate(crl.side) appearing for the second respondent, so far the charge sheet has not been taken on file. It is clear that memo of objections have been raised by the concerned Court and since they have not been complied with, the charge sheet has been taken on file for the past 9 years.

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3. This Court in a judgment reported in 2014 (8) MLJ 61 has held that mere pendency of FIR is not a legal impediment for issuance of the passport.

4. Considering the above said facts, the first respondent is directed to consider the request of the petitioner for issuance of passport and pass orders within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. With the above said observations, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.

07.01.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet: Yes/No RJR To

1. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Madurai, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai, Tamil Nadu - 625 002.

2. The Inspector of Police, Kodaikkanal Police Station, Dindigul.

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R.VIJAYAKUMAR , J.

RJR W.P.(MD)No.62 of 2026 07.01.2026 4/4