2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 20981
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
R.VIJAYAKUMAR, J
Muthu Chelvam – Appellant
Versus
1.The Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, Regional Passport Officer, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai – 625 002. – Respondent
Writ Petition|Article 226 of the Constitution
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Mr.S.Packiya Muthu
For the Respondents: Mr.K.Sankararaman, M/s.M.Aasha
The pendency of an FIR does not impede the issuance of a passport.
Headnote:This Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution seeks a Writ of Mandamus for processing the petitioner's passport application. The petitioner was implicated in a criminal case, but the court found that the mere pendency of an FIR is not a barrier to issuing a passport. Consequently, the Court directed the first respondent to consider the application and pass orders within four weeks.
| Table of Content |
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| 1. writ of mandamus for passport application. (Para 1 , 2) |
| 2. pendency of fir not a barrier to passport. (Para 3) |
| 3. court orders renewal consideration within four weeks. (Para 4 , 5) |
O R D E R
The present writ petition has been filed seeking a Mandamus directing the first respondent to process the petitioner's passport application dated
09.01.2026.
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.145 of 2025, on the file of the second respondent police station. However, so far, investigation has not been completed and the charge sheet has not been filed.
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 for renewal of passport 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.