W.P.(MD)No.6565 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 11.03.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR W.P.(MD)No.6565 of 2026 Murugan ... Petitioner vs. 1. The Regional Passport Officer The Regional Passport Office New Municipal Complex Thillai Nagar 7th Cross Tiruchirappalli - 620 018. 2. The State of Tamilnadu represented by the Inspector of Police Nagudi Police Station Pudukkottai District (Crime No.218/2025). ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to renew the passport to the petitioner based on his Application Reference Number 25-1068386165 within the time stipulated by this Honble Court and pass such further or other orders as this Honble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case and thus render justice. For Petitioner :Mr.R.Prasanna For Respondents :Mr.S.Mariappan – for R1 : Mr.M.Vaikkam Karunantihi Government Advocate – For R2 ***** 1/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.6565 of 2026 O R D E R 1.The petitioner is before this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to renew the petitioner’s passport based on his application bearing Reference No.25-1068386165. 2. A perusal of the records reveals that the petitioner’s application for issuance of a passport has not been processed on the ground that a criminal case has been registered against the petitioner in Crime No.218 of 2025 on the file of Nagudi Police Station, Pudukkottai District. The issuance of passports is governed by the provisions of the Passports Act, 1967, and the mere registration of a criminal case is not one of the grounds enumerated under Section 6 of the said Act for refusal. Therefore, in the absence of any statutory bar, the refusal to process the petitioner’s application is arbitrary. 3. In view of the above, this writ petition is allowed, and the first respondent is directed to renew the petitioner’s passport without reference to the registration of the criminal case, subject to the petitioner satisfying the other prescribed requirements. The said exercise shall be completed within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 2/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.6565 of 2026 4. There shall be no order as to costs. 11.03.2026 Index :Yes / No Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No gvn 3/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.6565 of 2026 HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J. gvn To:- 1. The Regional Passport Officer The Regional Passport Office New Municipal Complex Thillai Nagar 7th Cross Tiruchirappalli - 620 018. 2. The Inspector of Police Nagudi Police Station Pudukkottai District (Crime No.218/2025). W.P.(MD)No.6565 of 2026 11.03.2026 4/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis