W.P.(MD)No.14477 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 02.06.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR W.P.(MD)No.14477 of 2026 Mohammed Shafi ..Petitioner - Vs. - 1. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Madurai, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625 002. 2. The Inspector of Police, Kottar Police Station, Kanyakumari District. .. Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondent no.1 to re-issue / renew the petitioner's passport bearing No. M5001495 by processing his application in File No. MD2076511448226 in accordance with law within the time stipulated by this Court. 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.14477 of 2026 For Petitioner : Dr.R.Alagumani For Respondents : Mr.R.Paranjothi Central Government Standing Counsel for R1 : Mr.R.Mohamed Riyaz, Government Advocate(Crl. Side) for R2 O R D E R The petitioner is before this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to re-issue a passport bearing No.M5001495 to the petitioner based on the petitioner’s application in File No. MD2076511448226. 2. 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 No.2, Nagercoil, in C.C. No. 774 of 2023. 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.14477 of 2026 3. 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-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. 4. 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 four weeks from the date of filing of the application. 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.14477 of 2026 5. There shall be no order as to costs. Index :Yes / No 02.06.2026 Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No PJL To 1. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Madurai, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625 002. 2. The Inspector of Police, Kottar Police Station, Kanyakumari District. 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.14477 of 2026 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.14477 of 2026 HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J. PJL W.P.(MD)No.14477 of 2026 02.06.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis