Jahnavi Nair Through Ritu Nair(Mother) v. Union Of India & ORS.

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

+ W.P.(C) 2797/2019 JAHNAVI NAIR THROUGH RITU NAIR(MOTHER) ..... Petitioner Through:

Mr Sanjoy Ghose and Mr Rhishabh Jetley, Advocates.

versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

..... Respondents Through:

Mr Ajay Digpaul, CGSC for UOI.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIBHU BAKHRU

O R D E R

% 19.03.2019 1.

Issue notice. Learned counsel appearing for the respondents accepts notice.

2.

The petitioner has filed the present petition, inter alia, praying that the name of her father/legal guardian be reflected in her passport, instead of the name of her biological father.

3.

The petitioner was born on 27.03.2003 and, thereafter, her parents were divorced on 03.05.2006. In 2007, the petitioner's mother and her step father (Capt. Vivek Nair) were married.

It is stated that the petitioner has been living with her mother and her step father since 2007. It is further stated that the petitioner has no contact with her biological father.

4.

The petitioner was issued a passport on 20.05.2014, which reflected the name of the petitioner's biological father. The said passport

is due to expire on 19.05.2019.

The petitioner is now desirous of applying for a renewal of her passport, reflecting her step father's name. 5.

Mr Digpaul, learned counsel appearing for the respondent states that the present petition is premature, as the petitioner has not approached the concerned passport authorities with the aforesaid request. 6.

The aforesaid contention is merited. The petitioner may apply for renewal of her passport indicating her step father's name. The passport authorities shall consider the petitioner's request and take an appropriate decision after hearing the petitioner within a period of four weeks from today.

7.

The petition is disposed of in the aforesaid terms. 8.

Order dasti under signatures of the Court Master. VIBHU BAKHRU, J MARCH 19, 2019 MK