W.P.No.20297 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 29.05.2026 CORAM : THE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN W.P.No.20297 of 2026 Satham Hussain Sathik Ali .. Petitioner Versus 1. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar, 7th Cross, Tiruchirappalli – 620 018. 2. The Inspector of Police, Mayiladuthurai Police Station, Mayiladuthurai District. .. Respondents (R2 Suo Motu impleaded vide order, dated 21.05.2026 made in W.P.No.20297 of 2026) Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to process and renewal/reissue the passport to the petitioner in respect of application File No.TR1076135186725, without any further delay or condition and setting aside the File Closure Letter bearing Ref. No.FCL/1054607048/26 dated 16.04.2026 issued by the respondent. 1/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.20297 of 2026 For Petitioner : Mr.K.Sakthivel, for Mr.V.Livin For Respondents : Mr.M.Sathyan, for R1 ORDER Heard both sides. 2. The writ petitioner had submitted an application to the first respondent seeking renewal of his passport. Since an adverse report was submitted and received by the second respondent, the first respondent did not process the same. 3. The stand of the second respondent is that a criminal case was registered against the petitioner under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 and that final report has been filed, but, it is yet to be taken on file. 4. I am of the view that pendency of this case need not be a bar for renewal of the writ petitioner’s passport. I direct the first respondent to renew the passport. If, in the meanwhile, the final report is taken on file, the petitioner can leave India only after getting permission from the Trial 2/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.20297 of 2026 Court. 5. The Writ Petition is, accordingly, disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. 29.05.2026 Neutral Citation : yes/no bbr/grs To 1. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar, 7th Cross, Tiruchirappalli – 620 018. 2. The Inspector of Police, Mayiladuthurai Police Station, Mayiladuthurai District. 3/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.20297 of 2026 G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J. bbr/grs W.P.No.20297 of 2026 29.05.2026 4/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis