Disposed¶26

M.Ahamed Rizha v. The Regional Passport Officer

Madras HC19 Feb 2026WP(MD)/3761/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Passport; writ of mandamus; Article 226; Madurai Bench of Madras High Court; Regional Passport Officer Thanjavur; application No.26-1050751067 dated 21.01.2026; pending criminal case; Crime No.1031 of 2020; P.R.C. No. 20 of 2024; Judicial Magistrate Court Pattukottai; not committed; Crime No.61 of 2013; S.C. No.202 of 2019; Subordinate Court Pattukottai; permission to go abroad; four weeks; proceed in accordance with law; disposed of; no costs.

What did the court decide?

Writ petition disposed of with directions: petitioner to seek permission of the Subordinate Court, Pattukottai to go abroad (any such application to be disposed of within four weeks); first respondent (Regional Passport Officer) to proceed in accordance with law based on the orders of that Court. No costs. ¶26

M.Ahamed Rizha 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 mandamus should issue directing the first respondent (Regional Passport Officer, Thanjavur) to issue a passport to the petitioner on his application No.26-1050751067 dated 21.01.2026, in the light of the pending criminal proceedings disclosed against him.

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Court's answer

The petitioner is directed to approach the learned Subordinate Court, Pattukottai to seek that Court's permission to go abroad.

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Ratio / Principle

If the petitioner files such an application before the Subordinate Court, Pattukottai, it shall be disposed of within a period of four weeks.

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Key takeaways

Based upon the orders to be passed by the learned Subordinate Court, Pattukottai, the first respondent (Regional Passport Officer) is directed to proceed in accordance with law on the petitioner's passport application.ratio¶25

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Madras High Court (Madurai Bench), single judge (Hon'ble Mr. Justice R. Vijayakumar), order dated 19.02.2026 in W.P.(MD).No.3761 of 2026: Writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of mandamus directing the Regional Passport Officer, Thanjavur (first respondent) to issue a passport to the petitioner M.Ahamed Rizha on his application No.26-1050751067 dated 21.01.2026. The Government Advocate (Criminal Side) informed the Court that the petitioner is implicated in Crime No.1031 of 2020 of Adirampattinam Police Station, charge-sheeted as P.R.C. No. 20 of 2024 before the Judicial Magistrate Court, Pattukottai (not yet committed to the Trial Court), and in Crime No.61 of 2013 of Sethubavachathiram Police Station, charge-sheeted as S.C. No.202 of 2019 before the Subordinate Court, Pattukottai. Considering these facts, the Court directed the petitioner to approach the learned Subordinate Court, Pattukottai for permission to go abroad, directed that any such application be disposed of within four weeks, and directed the first respondent to proceed in accordance with law based on the orders of that Court. Writ petition disposed of; no costs.

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W.P.(MD).No.3761 of 2026

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

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DATED : 19.02.2026

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CORAM:

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR

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W.P(MD)No.3761 of 2026

M.Ahamed Rizha

... Petitioner

Vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, New No.201/7D, Old No.201/7, Medical College Road, Next to Kumaran Cinema Theatre, Thanjavur.

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2.The Inspector of Police, Adirampattinam Police Station, Pattukottai Taluk, Thanjavur District. ... Respondents

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PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to issue passport to the petitioner by considering his application No.26-1050751067 dated 21.01.2026 and for other reliefs within a period of stipulated by this Court.

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For Petitioner : Mr.I.Kalantaraasik Ahamadu For R1 : Mr.R.Ramanath Sethupathi, Central Government Standing Counsel

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

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W.P.(MD).No.3761 of 2026

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For R2 : M/s.M.Aasha, Government Advocate (Criminal Side) O R D E R

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The present writ petition has been filed seeking a mandamus directing

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the first respondent to issue passport to the petitioner based upon his application dated 21.01.2026.

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2. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the second respondent brought to the notice of this Court that the petitioner has been implicated in Crime No.1031 of 2020 on the file of the second respondent Police Station, which has culminated in the filing of a charge sheet before the learned Judicial Magistrate Court, Pattukottai, in P.R.C. No. 20 of 2024. So far, the case has not been committed to the concerned Trial Court.

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It was further brought to the notice of this Court that the petitioner is also involved in another criminal case in Crime No.61 of 2013 on the file of Sethubavachathiram Police Station, Thanjavur District, which culminated in the filing of a charge sheet before the learned Subordinate Court, Pattukottai , Pattukottai, in S.C. No.202 of 2019.

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

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W.P.(MD).No.3761 of 2026

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4. Considering the above said facts, the petitioner is directed to approach the learned Subordinate Court, Pattukottai seeking permission of the Court to go abroad. In case if any such application is filed, the same shall be disposed of within a period of four weeks. Based upon the orders to be passed by the learned Subordinate Court, Pattukottai, the first respondent is directed to proceed in accordance with law.

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

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19.02.2026

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NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No pal To

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1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, New No.201/7D, Old No.201/7, Medical College Road, Next to Kumaran Cinema Theatre, Thanjavur.

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2.The Inspector of Police, Adirampattinam Police Station, Pattukottai Taluk, Thanjavur District.

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3/4

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

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W.P.(MD).No.3761 of 2026

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R.VIJAYAKUMAR,J.

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