Disposed¶23

S.Ponmani v. The Regional Passport Officer

Madras HC28 Jan 2026WP(MD)/825/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

passport renewal refused pending criminal cases; writ of mandamus; Article 226 Constitution of India; Regional Passport Officer Madurai; Keelavalavu Police Station; permission to travel abroad from Judicial Magistrate Melur; C.C.No.260 of 2024; C.C.No.167 of 2024; Cr.No.250 of 2023; Cr.No.251 of 2024; Cr.No.197 of 2024; disposed without costs.

What did the court decide?

No direct renewal ordered; writ disposed of by issuing directions — petitioner to seek permission from the learned Judicial Magistrate, Melur in both CC.No.260 of 2024 and C.C.No. 167 of 2024 to go abroad, such applications to be disposed of within four weeks, and the first respondent thereafter to proceed in accordance with law once all documents are presented. No costs. ¶23

S.Ponmani 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 the first respondent (Regional Passport Officer) may be directed by way of a writ of mandamus to renew the petitioner's passport notwithstanding that criminal cases against the petitioner are pending.

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Court's answer

Considering the criminal-case background, the petitioner was directed to approach the learned Judicial Magistrate, Melur, in both CC.No.260 of 2024 and C.C.No. 167 of 2024 and seek permission of the said Court to go abroad.

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Ratio / Principle

If the petitioner files such an application before the trial Court seeking permission to go abroad, 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 concerned trial Court, the first respondent (Regional Passport Officer) is directed to proceed in accordance with law after all the documents are presented by the petitioner.ratio¶22

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ petition (W.P.(MD)No.825 of 2026, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, decided 28.01.2026 by Justice R.Vijayakumar) disposed of. Petitioner S.Ponmani, represented by S.Atham Ali, sought a writ of mandamus under Article 226 of the Constitution of India directing the Regional Passport Officer, Madurai, to renew passport No.AE965642 for ten years pursuant to application dated 26.12.2025. On being informed that the petitioner figures in five criminal cases — Cr.No.250 of 2023 pending investigation without a charge sheet, and charge sheets already filed in C.C.No 260 of 2024 and C.C.No.197 of 2024 before the Judicial Magistrate, Melur — the Court declined to order immediate renewal. Instead, it directed the petitioner to apply to the learned Judicial Magistrate, Melur, in both CC.No.260 of 2024 and C.C.No. 167 of 2024 for permission to go abroad, with such applications to be disposed of within four weeks, whereupon the first respondent is to proceed in accordance with law once all documents are presented. No costs were awarded.

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

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DATED: 28.01.2026

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CORAM

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THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR

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W.P.(MD)No.825 of 2026

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S.Ponmani

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...Petitioner

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

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The Inspector of Police, Keelavalavu Police Station, Melur Taluk, Madurai District.

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...Respondents

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PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1^st respondent to renewal of the petitioner's passport bearing No.AE965642 for a valid period of 10 years to him by considering his application No.25-1068684863 dated 26.12.2025 and for other reliefs within a period stipulated by this Court.

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For Petitioner : M/s.S.Atham Ali For Respondents : M/s.V.B.Sundhareshwar Central Government Standing Counsel for R1 M/s.M.Aasha Government Advocate(crl.side) for R2

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

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ORDER

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The present writ petition has been filed seeking a mandamus directing the first respondent for renewal of the passport based upon his application dated 26.12.2025.

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The learned Government Advocate(crl.side) appearing for the second respondent brought to the notice of the Court that the petitioner has been implicated in 5 criminal cases, out of which 2 of them have been entered in favour of the petitioner. As far as Cr.No.250 of 2023 on the file of the third respondent is concerned, it is pending investigation. So far charge sheet has not been filed.

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As far as Cr.No.251 of 2024 on the file of the second respondent is concerned, it has been culminated in filing of a charge sheet in C.C.No 260 of 2024 on the file of learned Judicial Magistrate, Melur. As far as Cr.No.197 of 2024 on the file of the second respondent is concerned, it has also culminated in filing of a charge sheet in C.C.No.197 of 2024, and it is pending on file of learner Judicial Magistrate, Melur.

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Considering the above said facts, the petitioner is directed to approach the learned Judicial Magistrate, Melur, in both CC.No.260 of 2024 and C.C.No. 167 of 2024 and seek permission of the said Court to go abroad. In case if any

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

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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 concerned trial Court, the first respondent is directed to proceed in accordance with law after all the documents are presented by the petitioner.

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