Senthil v. The Regional Passport Officer

ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed seeking the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to issue passport bearing its Application No.MD1077456901325 and to re-issue / renew the passport to the petitioner within a time stipulated by this Court.

¶2Heard Mr.R.L.Dhilipan Pandian, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner; Mr.P.Senthil Kumar, learned Central Government Standing Counsel, who accepts notice on behalf of the first respondent; and Mr.R.Mohamed Riyaz, learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side), who accepts notice on behalf of the second respondent.

¶3By consent of both parties, the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.

¶4The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner had applied for the issuance of a fresh passport before the first respondent. However, the said application has not been processed on the ground that a criminal case is pending against the petitioner. The learned counsel further submitted that the petitioner was originally arrayed as an accused in Crime No. 146 of 2010, which culminated in C.C.No.37 of 2012 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate Court No.I, Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram Taluk, Ramanathapuram. Subsequently, this Court, by order dated 23.10.2025 passed in Suo Motu TR(MD).No.16190 of 2025, quashed the criminal proceedings as against the petitioner. Therefore, it is contended that there is no subsisting criminal case against the petitioner and consequently, there is no legal impediment for the first respondent to process the petitioner's application for issuance of a fresh passport.

¶5It is not in dispute that the criminal proceedings initiated against the petitioner in Crime No.146 of 2010, which culminated in C.C.No.37 of 2012, have been quashed by this Court by order dated 23.10.2025 in Suo Motu TR(MD).No.16190 of 2025. Once the criminal proceedings have been quashed, the very basis on which the petitioner's passport application was kept pending no longer survives. Therefore, the first respondent is bound to consider the petitioner's application independently in accordance with the provisions of the Passports Act, 1967 and the Rules framed thereunder.

¶6In view of the above, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the first respondent to consider the petitioner's application for renewal/re-issuance of passport and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, taking into consideration the order of this Court dated 23.10.2025 passed in Suo Motu TR(MD).No.16190 of 2025, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, if there is no other legal impediment. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

13.07.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No TSG To

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

2.The Inspector of Police, B1, Town Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

M.DHANDAPANI, J. TSG

13.07.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 13.07.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and W.M.P.(MD).No.14594 of 2026 Senthil ... Petitioner Vs 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Office of the Regional Passport Officer, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai-625 002. 2.The Inspector of Police, B1, Town Police Station, Ramanathapuram District. Crime No.146 of 2010 ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to issue passport bearing its Application No.MD1077456901325 and to re-issue / renew the passport to the petitioner within a time stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.R.L.Dhilipan Pandian For Respondents : Mr.P.Senthil Kumar, CGSC for R-1 : Mr.R.Mohamed Riyaz for R-2 Government Advocate (Criminal Side)