1/6 WP No. 5117 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 21-07-2025 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE N. ANAND VENKATESH WP No. 5117 of 2025 Abdul Hakeem Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Regional Passport Officer Regional Passport Office, Royala Towers, IV Floor, Old No.785 New No.158, Annasalai, Chennai 600002 2.State Rep by The Inspector of Police D1 Triplicane Police Station, Chennai - 600002 Respondent(s) PRAYER Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to re-issue a passport to the petitioner based on the Passport Application File https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 2/6 WP No. 5117 of 2025 No.MA1077273653725 in accordance with law within a stipulated time limit. For Petitioner(s): Mr. A.Ganesh For Respondent(s): Mr.A.Veeramani, Central Government Counsel for R1 Mr.V.Meganathan Government Advocate for R2 ORDER This writ petition has been filed for issue of writ of mandamus directing the 1st respondent to act upon the application submitted by the petitioner who is seeking for reissue/renewal of the passport. 2.Heard Mr.A.Ganesh, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner Mr.A.Veeramani, learned Central Government Counsel appearing on behalf of 1st respondents and Mr.V.Meganathan, learned Government Advocate appearing on behalf of the 2nd respondent. 3.The Deputy Commissioner of Customs had imposed a penalty against the petitioner under Section 112(a) of the Customs Act by an order dated https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 3/6 WP No. 5117 of 2025 26.08.2023 and the petitioner filed an appeal against the said order and the appeal was dismissed on 09.02.2024. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner filed a revision application before the Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance and the same is pending. Citing this proceedings, the application submitted by the petitioner has not been acted up on by the 1st respondent. Aggrieved by the same, the present writ petition has been filed before this Court. 4.Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the fact that only penalty was imposed against the petitioner by the Customs authority under the Customs Act, the same cannot be put against the petitioner for reissuance of passport. Hence, there shall be a direction to the 1st respondent to process the application dated 03.01.2025 and reissue/renew in favour of the petitioner, if the petitioner has satisfied all the other requirements. This process shall be completed, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 4/6 WP No. 5117 of 2025 5.This writ petition is disposed of with the above directions. No Costs. 21-07-2025 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes Neutral Citation:Yes/No ssr https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 5/6 WP No. 5117 of 2025 To 1. The Regional Passport Officer Regional Passport Office, Royala Towers, IV Floor, Old No.785 New No.158, Annasalai, Chennai 600002 2.State Rep by The Inspector of Police D1 Triplicane Police Station, Chennai - 600002 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 6/6 WP No. 5117 of 2025 N.ANAND VENKATESH J. ssr WP No. 5117 of 2025 21-07-2025 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis