Shanmuganathan v. The Regional Passport Officer

Madras HC28 Aug 2025WP(MD)/23369/2025

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

W.P.(MD) No.23369 of 2025; Madras High Court, Madurai Bench; decided 28.08.2025 by C. Saravanan, J. Mandamus directing the Regional Passport Officer, Madurai to process the renewal application (dated 14.01.2025) for Passport No. M5922837, which expired on 02.02.2025, subject to verification of criminal-case involvement, within six weeks. Disposed of, no costs. No precedents cited.

What did the court decide?

Direction to the second respondent (Regional Passport Officer) to process the passport renewal application after verifying whether the applicant is involved in any criminal case, to be completed within six weeks of receipt of the order; writ petition disposed of with no costs. ¶¶27

Shanmuganathan Vs The Regional Passport Officer — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2025)

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W.P.(MD) No.23369 of 2025

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

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DATED : 28.08.2025

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CORAM

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THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C. SARAVANAN

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W.P.(MD)No.23369 of 2025

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Shanmuganathan ... Petitioner

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Vs.

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

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... Respondent

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Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to renew the petitioner's sons (Vivek Shanmuganathan) Passport No.M5922837, by considering his application dated 14.01.2025.

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For Petitioner : Mr.S.Viljoen Ajit

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O R D E R

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This Writ Petition has been filed by the petitioner on behalf of her

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son, who is presently residing in Australia.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ____________ Page No. 1 of 4_

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W.P.(MD) No.23369 of 2025

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2 . The case of the petitioner is that her son was issued Passport No.

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M5922837, which was valid for the period from 03.02.2015 to 02.02.2025. It is submitted that, anticipating the expiry of the passport, her son submitted an application for its renewal on 14.01.2025 before the second respondent. However, the said application has not been processed, and the passport has since expired on 02.02.2025. Despite receipt of the application, the respondents have not taken any steps to process the same.

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3 . Considering the fact that the passport expired on 02.02.2025 and

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the renewal application was submitted on 14.01.2025, there shall be a direction to the second respondent to process the renewal application submitted by the petitioner's son, after verifying whether he is involved in any criminal case or not.

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4 . This exercise shall be completed as expeditiously as possible, in

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any event within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ____________ Page No. 2 of 4_

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W.P.(MD) No.23369 of 2025

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5 . Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.

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NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No smn2 To The Regional Passport Officer, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625 002, Tamil Nadu.