Madras High CourtWP/3196/2026disposed of with direction

W.Valentia Beastrice v. The Director (Citizenship)

2026-03-30Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani7 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 30-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.P. No. 3196 of 2026 W.Valentia Beastrice Daughter of JebanesanReynold Wilson No.54-A, Smyrna Home, R.K. Puram, Udhagamandalam, Nilgiris 643001.

..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Director (Citizenship) Ministry of Home Affairs, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Near Pragati Maidan, New Delhi-110001

2. The Under Secretary (Citizenship), Ministry of Home Affairs, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Near Pragati Maidan, New Delhi-110001.

3. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by. The Principal Secretary to Government, Tamilnadu State Government, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Rajaji Salai, Chennai 600 009.

4. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Secretary to Government, The Home Department, Fort St. George, Chennai 600 009.

5. The District Collector The District Collector's Office for Udhagamandalam (Ooty), 171, Church Hill Rd, near Charing Cross, Pudumund, Ooty, Tamil Nadu - 643001

6. The Assistant Commissioner of police, CCB-II Wing-II,Fake passport Investigation Wing, Central Chennai City Police, Chennai-600 007.

7. Bureau of Immigration Immigration officer, Chennai International Airport, Meenambakkam, Chennai 600027.

..Respondent(s) PRAYER: The Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitutiono f India for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 and 2 herein to consider process authorized and grant Indian citizenship to the petitioner under section 6(1) of the Citizenship Act 1955 based on the her application submitted in Form VIII along with the representation dated 20.1.2026.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr. M.Guruprasad For Respondent(s):

M/s.K.Srinivasa Murthy Senior Panel Counsel for R1, R2 and R7 Mr. T.M.Rajangam Government Advocate for R3, R4 and R5 Mr.V.Meganathan Government Advocate (Crl.Side) for R6

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 and 2 herein to consider process authorized and grant Indian citizenship to the petitioner under section 6(1) of the Citizenship Act 1955 based on the her application submitted in Form VIII along with the representation dated 20.01.2026.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner's parents are Sri Lankan Nationals who migrated to India in the year 1984, and have lawfully been residing in India after due registration with the FRRO; their registrations have been periodically renewed and are valid as on date. The petitioner is unmarried and has continuously resided with her parents and her citizenship status has never been adjudicated by any competent authority under the Citizenship Act, 1955, and till date, the petitioner has not been declared a foreigner or an illegal migrant.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that the petitioner is eligible to seek Indian citizenship by naturalization under Section 6(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, having satisfied all statutory requirements,

including long continuous residence, education, and linguistic integration. While so, the Law Enforcing Agency registered a case in Crime No.225 of 2025 against the petitioner under Section 12(1)(b) and 12(1-A) (a) of the Passports Act, 1967, and Sections 420, 468 and 471 of I.P.C., and the petitioner was arrested on 29.11.2025 and enlarged on bail on 06.12.2025 in C.M.P.No.5408 of 2025 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate No.1, Alandur.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that apprehending detention in a Special Camp, the petitioner filed W.P. (Crl.).No.1780 of 2025; when the matter came up for hearing on 19.12.2025, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor issued impugned G.O.(ID) No.659 and as per the said Government Order, the petitioner was detained in the Foreigners' Camp. Challenging the same, the petitioner filed a Writ Petition in W.P.(Crl.) No.3190 of 2026 and the same is pending before this Court.

5. In the meanwhile, the petitioner made a representation for claiming a citizenship under Section 6(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, to the respondents. However, till date, no orders have been passed. Hence, the present Writ Petition has been filed.

6. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned counsel appearing for the respondents.

7. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the submission made by the learned counsel appearing on either side, this Court directs the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 20.01.2026 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

8. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.

30-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Asi