The court directed the passport authority to consider an application for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) and pass orders in accordance with the law within a stipulated timeframe, ensuring the applicant is given an opportunity to be heard.

Prayer:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to issue the petitioner’s online application for issuance of police clearance certificate (PCC) by considering his application dated 24.01.2026 with application Reference No. 26-1050996644 within the time frame that may be stipulated by this Honble court.

For Petitioner(s): Mr.M.Mohamed Riyaz

For Respondent(s): Mr. K.K.Murralidharan for RR-1 & R2

Mr.V.Meghanathan, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) for R-3

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the the 1st respondent to issue the petitioner’s online application for issuance of police clearance certificate (PCC) by considering his application dated 24.01.2026 within a reasonable time that may be stipulated by this Court.

Mr. K.K.Murralidharan, learned counsel takes notice on behalf of respondents 1 & 2. Mr.V.Meghanathan, learned Government Advocate takes notice on behalf of the 3rd respondent.

The petitioner’s father is an Indian Citizen and her mother is a Srilankan national. However, both of them are residing in Salem District. The petitioner is an Indian Passport Holder. In order to pursue her higher studies abroad, she had applied for Police Clearance Certificate on 24.01.2026. However, based on the adverse report submitted by the 4th respondent stating that, there is a criminal case pending against the petitioner’s parents in Crime No.213 of 2023 on the file of the 4th respondent for alleged offences under the Passport Act , the 2nd respondent issued a show cause notice dated 03.02.2026 to the petitioner in which, the petitioner was called upon to give explanation alleging that she had suppressed the fact regarding the criminal case pending against her parents. Consequently, the petitioner’s application dated 24.01.2024 for issuance of Police Clearance Certification is kept pending without any progress. Aggrieved by which, the petitioner has come up with the present Writ Petition.

Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that, it would suffice, if this Court issues a direction to the 1st respondent to consider the petitioner’s online application dated 24.01.2026 seeking issuance of passport pass appropriate orders on the same within the time that may be stipulated by this Court.

On the above contention, this Court heard the learned counsel appearing for respondents.

In view of the limited relief sought for in this Writ Petition, this Court without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, directs the 1st respondent to consider the petitioner’s application dated 24.01.2026 seeking issuance of Police Clearance Certificate and pass appropriate orders on the same in accordance with law within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and any other interested parties.

This Writ Petition stands disposed of with the aforesaid direction. There shall be no order as to costs.

02-03-2026

Index: Yes/No

Speaking/Non-speaking order

Neutral Citation: Yes/No

NHS