A passport cannot be denied solely on the grounds of an FIR registration; pending criminal cases must be substantiated for denial under the Passports Act.

O R D E R

The petitioner is before this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to issue a passport to the petitioner based on the application bearing File No. MD1065058061925 dated 20.05.2025.

2. Mr. P. Santhoshkumar, learned Central Government Standing Counsel, who accepts notice on behalf of the first respondent, on instructions, submitted that an FIR has been registered against the petitioner and therefore the application submitted by the petitioner has not yet been processed.

3. Mr. Vaikkam Karunanidhi, learned Government Advocate (Crl.

Side), who accepts notice on behalf of the second respondent, on instructions, submitted that the FIR is still under investigation and the charge sheet has not yet been filed.

4. Passport can be denied only if a criminal case is pending before a Criminal Court in India, as contemplated under Section 6(2)(f) of the Passports Act, 1967. Mere registration of an FIR is not a bar for issuance of a passport.

5. In view of the above, the Writ Petition stands disposed of directing the first respondent to consider the petitioner’s application bearing File No. MD1065058061925 dated 20.05.2025 and issue a passport to the petitioner, subject to the petitioner satisfying all other eligibility criteria. The said exercise shall be completed within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.