BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 04.12.2025 CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR Abdulla ...Petitioner Vs

1. The Regional Passport Officer Regional Passport Office, Tiruchirappalli New Municipal Complex, Thillai Nagar,7th Cross, Tiruchirappalli -620 018.

2.The State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by its, The Inspector of Police, Keeramangalam Police Station, Keeramangalam, Pudukkotai District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1^st Respondent to re-issue petitioner's passport by considering his application bearing application No.TR1077232479724 dated 20.12.2024 for normal period of 10 years within the time frame fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.Anandraj For R1 : Mr.D.M.Balakrishnan Central Government Standing Counsel For R2 : Mr.S.Prakash Government Advocate (Criminal Side)

O R D E R

The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking a Mandamus directing the first respondent for re-issuance of the passport to the writ petitioner on the basis of his application dated 20.12.2024.

2. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the second respondent brought to the notice of this Court that the petitioner has been implicated in a criminal case in Crime No.126 of 2024 on the file of the second respondent police station. As of today, the charge sheet has not been filed and the investigation is still pending.

3. This Court in a judgment reported in 2014 8 MLJ 61 (Mr.W.Jaihar Willam Vs.the State of Tamil Nadu) has held that mere pendency of FIR would not be a legal impediment for issuance of passport.

4. In view of the above said facts, the first respondent is directed to consider the application of the writ petitioner and pass orders within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. With the above said observation, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

04.12.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No ebsi To

1. The Regional Passport Officer Regional Passport Office, Tiruchirappalli New Municipal Complex, Thillai Nagar,7th Cross, Tiruchirappalli -620 018. 2.The Inspector of Police, Keeramangalam Police Station, Keeramangalam, Pudukkotai District.

R.VIJAYAKUMAR,J.

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04.12.2025