Lakshmi Murugesan v. The Secretary

JUDGMENT (Judgment of the Court was delivered by S.M.Subramaniam J.) Order dated 24.11.2025 passed in W.M.P. No. 50048 of 2025 in W.P.No. 922 of 2024 is under challenge in the present writ appeal instituted under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent.

¶2Several allegations are raised between the parties in the writ proceedings. The appellant herein proposed to travel abroad, and accordingly, a miscellaneous petition has been filed seeking permission to travel abroad. Writ Court imposed a condition to deposit a sum of Rs. 25,00,000/- in the name of the Registrar General, High Court of Madras, for grant of such permission.

¶3In compliance with the said order of Writ Court, appellant deposited a sum of Rs. 25,00,000/- before the Registrar General, High Court, on

23.10.2025. Subsequently, the appellant cancelled her trip to abroad, and therefore, filed W.M.P. No. 50048 of 2025 seeking a direction to the Registrar General, High Court of Madras, to refund the deposited amount of Page3 of 5 Rs.25,00,000/-.

¶4Writ Court has declined to grant the relief, and directed the Registrar General, High Court of Madras, to deposit the said amount in an interest-bearing deposit scheme in any one of the nationalised banks till the disposal of the writ petition.

¶5Learned counsel for the respondents would oppose by submitting that serious allegations have been raised against the appellant. Therefore, the present appeal is to be rejected.

¶6This Court is of the considered view that the appellant agreed to deposit a sum of Rs. 25,00,000/- in view of her proposal to travel abroad. However, the appellant subsequently cancelled her travel to abroad and filed the miscellaneous petition seeking withdrawal of the deposited amount. Since the amount of Rs. 25,00,000/- was deposited as a condition to travel abroad, the said amount need not be unnecessarily kept in deposit in the name of the Registrar General, High Court of Madras. Writ Petition has to be decided on merits and in accordance with law.

¶7In view of the above facts, this Court is inclined to allow the present writ appeal. The order dated 24.11.2025 in WMP No.50048 of 2025 passed in WP No.922 of 2024 is set aside. The appellant is permitted to withdraw the Page4 of 5 deposited amount by filing an appropriate application before the Registrar General, High Court of Madras. Upon receipt of such application, the Registrar General, High Court of Madras, is directed to refund the deposited amount along with interest, if any accrued, within a period of 10 days from the date of receipt of application.

¶8Accordingly, the writ appeal is allowed. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions, if any, are closed. (S.M.S.,J.) (K.S.,J.) 17-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order GD To

¶1The Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, South Block, New Delhi - 110 001.

¶2The Bureau of Immigration Rep. by its Commissioner (Immigration), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, No.26, Sastri Bhavan, Haddows Road, Chennai - 600 006.

¶3Indian Bank Rep. by it is Assistant General Manager, Thousands Light Branch, No.611, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 006. WAoNo.o4049oofo2025 S.M.SUBRAMANIAM,eJ. AND K.SURENDER,eJ. GD WAeNo.e4049eofe2025 17-03-2026 Page5oofo5

2026:MHC:1169 Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 17-03-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S. M. SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE K. SURENDER Lakshmi Murugesan ..Appellant(s) Vs 1. The Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, South Block, New Delhi - 110 001. 2. The Bureau of Immigration Rep. by its Commissioner (Immigration), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, No.26, Sastri Bhavan, Haddows Road, Chennai - 600 006. 3. Indian Bank Rep. by it is Assistant General Manager, Thousands Light Branch, No.611, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 006. ..Respondent(s) Writ Appeal filed under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent to set aside the order dated 24.11.2025 in WMP No.50048 of 2025 passed in WP No.922 of 2024, thereby direct the Registrar General, High Court of Madras, to refund the sum of Rs.25,00,000/- ( Rupees Twenty Five Lakhs Only) deposited pursuant to the order dated 15.10.2025 passed in WP No.922 of 2024 to the account of M/s.Paramount Textile Mills Private, Limited bearing Page2 of 5 Current Account No.601705010781, with ICICI Bank, Kochadai Branch, Madurai (IFSC.ICIC0006017). For Appellant(s): Mr.N. Ramakrishnan For M/s.Ark Law Associates For Respondent(s): Mr.Dhruva C.K.V For M/s. Anandsamy Dhruva For R3