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Palaniselvam M v. The Regional Passport Officer

Madras HC22 Jun 2026WP(MD)/16153/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Passport renewal not processed due to pending criminal case C.C.735/2025 (Judicial Magistrate, Melur); impugned communication SCN/1053804275/26 dt.17.02.2026 by Regional Passport Officer, Madurai; Article 226 writ of certiorarified mandamus; Passport Act 1967 prior-permission route; Full Bench W.P.(MD) 26547/2025 re-issue/renewal treated as fresh issuance; writ disposed with liberty; criminal court to decide within two weeks.

What did the court decide?

Liberty to the petitioner to approach the jurisdictional criminal court and file an application seeking permission for issuance/renewal of the passport, with the criminal court directed to pass appropriate orders within two weeks of such application; no costs; connected miscellaneous petition W.M.P(MD)No.12067 of 2026 closed. ¶29

Palaniselvam M Vs The Regional Passport Officer — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

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Issue for consideration

Whether a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus should issue calling for the records of, and quashing, the first respondent's impugned communication No.SCN/1053804275/26 dated 17.02.2026, and directing renewal of the petitioner's passport (No.C2070034 dated 21.10.2024) on consideration of his application No.MD5076234618426 dated 08.01.2026. +1 more

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Court's answer

The Writ Petition is disposed of granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the jurisdictional Court, where criminal case C.C. No.735 of 2025 is pending, and file an appropriate application seeking permission for issuance/renewal of the passport.

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Ratio / Principle

If such an application is filed, the criminal Court concerned shall consider and pass appropriate orders within a period of two weeks from the date of filing of the application.

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Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Madras High Court (Madurai Bench), Hemant Chandangoudar, J. — W.P(MD)No.16153 of 2026 and connected W.M.P(MD)No.12067 of 2026, decided 22.06.2026: The petitioner's passport-renewal application (No.MD5076234618426 dated 08.01.2026) for passport No.C2070034 dated 21.10.2024 was not processed by the first respondent (Regional Passport Officer, Madurai) because criminal case C.C.No.735 of 2025 was pending against him before the Judicial Magistrate, Melur; the writ under Article 226 sought quashing of the impugned communication No.SCN/1053804275/26 dated 17.02.2026 and a direction to renew the passport. Applying the Hon'ble Full Bench decision in W.P.(MD) No.26547 of 2025 — that re-issue/renewal of a passport must be treated in the same manner as issuance of a fresh passport, with liberty to obtain prior permission from the concerned Court as contemplated under the Passport Act, 1967 — this Court disposed of the writ petition, granting liberty to seek permission from the jurisdictional criminal court, which shall pass appropriate orders within two weeks of such application; no costs; miscellaneous petition closed.

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W.P(MD)No.16153 of 2026

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

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DATED: 22.06.2026

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CORAM

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR

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Writ Petition(MD)No.16153 of 2026

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and

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W.M.P(MD)No.12067 of 2026

M.Palaniselvam

.. Petitioner

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

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

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..Respondents

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Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records of the first respondent's impugned communication No.SCN/1053804275/26 dated 17.02.2026 and quash the same and consequently, direct the first respondent to renewal of petitioner's passport bearing No.C2070034 dated 21.10.2024 to him by considering his application No.MD5076234618426 dated 08.01.2026 and for other relief within a period stipulated by this Court.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P(MD)No.16153 of 2026

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For Petitioner : Mr.S.Atham Ali For Respondents : Mrs.S.Mahalakshmi Central Govt. Standing Counsel for R1

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Mr.R.Mohamed Riyaz Govt. Advocate (Crl. Side) for R2

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ORDER

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The petitioner is before this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records of the first respondent's impugned communication No.SCN/1053804275/26 dated 17.02.2026 and quash the same and consequently, direct the first respondent to renewal of petitioner's passport bearing No.C2070034 dated 21.10.2024 to him by considering his application No.MD5076234618426 dated 08.01.2026 within a stipulated time.

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The petitioner’s request for issuance of a passport has not been processed on the ground that a criminal case is pending against the petitioner before the Judicial Magistrate, Melur, in C.C. No.735 of 2025.

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The Hon’ble Full Bench of this Court in W.P.(MD) No. 26547 of 2025, while answering a reference as to whether the re-

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P(MD)No.16153 of 2026

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issue/renewal of a passport should be treated in the same manner as the issuance of a fresh passport or merely as a case of renewal, held that the re-issue/renewal of a passport must be treated in the same manner as the issuance of a fresh passport. However, liberty was granted to the petitioner therein to obtain prior permission from the concerned Court and submit the same along with the passport application, as contemplated under the Passport Act, 1967.

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In view of the above, this Writ Petition is disposed of granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the jurisdictional Court, where the criminal case is pending, and file an appropriate application seeking permission for issuance/renewal of the passport. If such an application is filed, the criminal Court concerned shall consider and pass appropriate orders within a period of two weeks from the date of filing of the application. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

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22.06.2026

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NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet:Yes skn To The Inspector of Police, Melavalavu Police Station, Melavalavu, Melur Taluk, Madurai District.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P(MD)No.16153 of 2026

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HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR , J.