Vignesh vs The Regional Passport Officer
2026 Latest Caselaw 1423 Mad

Citation : 2026 Latest Caselaw 1423 Mad
Judgement Date : 18 March, 2026

[Cites 1, Cited by 0]

Madras High Court

Vignesh vs The Regional Passport Officer on 18 March, 2026

Author: D.Bharatha Chakravarthy

Bench: D.Bharatha Chakravarthy

                                                                                             W.P.(MD)No.7437 of 2026

                          BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

                                                        DATED : 18.03.2026

                                                                 CORAM:

                    THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY

                                                    W.P.(MD)No.7437 of 2026

                 Vignesh                                                                         ... Petitioner
                                                                      -vs-

                 1.The Regional Passport Officer,
                   Regional Passport Office,
                   Bharathi Ula Veethi,
                   Race Course Road,
                   Madurai - 625 002.

                 2.The Inspector of Police,
                   Ilayangudi Police Station,
                   Sivagangai District.                                                          ... Respondents
                 PRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to
                 issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to renew the petitioner's
                 passport based on his Application No.MD1076393180426, dated 13.02.2026,
                 within the time that may be stipulated by this Court.


                                  For Petitioner           : Mr.K.Yasar Arafath


                                  For R1                   : Mr.S.M.Ashok
                                                             Standing Counsel


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                                                                                         W.P.(MD)No.7437 of 2026

                                  For R2               : Mr.K.Gnanasekaran
                                                         Government Advocate (Criminal side)

                                                                 ORDER

The writ petition is filed seeking a direction to renew the passport of the

petitioner, vide Application No.MD1076393180426, dated 13.02.2026.

2. Mr.S.M.Ashok, learned Standing Counsel, taking notice on behalf of the

first respondent, submitted that the passport was not renewed in view of a

pending criminal case.

3. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal side), appearing on behalf

of the second respondent, submitted that Crime No.177 of 2025 is pending on the

file of the Ilayankudi Police Station for the offences under Sections 281 and

106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

4. It is settled that the mere pendency of an FIR is not a bar for renewal of a

passport. In the event that a charge sheet is filed, the petitioner will be required to

obtain permission from the concerned Court before travelling abroad.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 23/03/2026 09:06:01 pm )

5. In view of the above, the writ petition is allowed on the following

terms:-

(i) The first respondent is directed to renew the passport of the petitioner,

vide Application No.MD1076393180426, dated 13.02.2026, notwithstanding the

pending criminal case, if there is no other legal impediment.

(ii) The passport shall be renewed as expeditiously as possible, and in any

event, within four weeks from the date of receipt of a web copy of this order.

(iii) It is made clear that if a charge sheet is filed and taken on file, the

petitioner shall obtain permission from the concerned Court before travelling

abroad.

No costs.

18.03.2026

Neutral Citation : No smn2

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