Pushpamalli Nayanakanthi v. The Regional Passport Officer
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 30.11.2021
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.P.No.9763 of 2021 and W.P.No.10056 of 2021
1. Pushpamalli Nayanakanthi
2. Balanchandar, S.T.
... Petitioners in both W.Ps.
vs.
1.
The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Chennai Rayala Towers, Nos.2 & 3, IV Floor, Old No.785, New No.158, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002.
The Passport Officer, Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), No.103, First Floor, Navins Presidium, Nelson Manickam Road, Aminjikarai, Chennai 600 029.
... Respondents in both W.Ps.
Writ Petition No.9763 of 2021 filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents to reissue/renew the Passport bearing No.M6803635 pertaining to the Passport Application under File Number: MA2072879356520, dated 25.02.2020 submitted before the 2nd Respondent, to the Petitioner's 1st daughter viz. ANJANA (Minor) mentioning the name of the 1st Petitioner as her Mother and Natural Guardian and also the name of the 2nd Petitioner as her stepfather.
Writ Petition No.10056 of 2021 filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents to reissue/renew the Passport bearing No.M6803349 pertaining to the Passport Application under File Number: MA2072879363720, dated 25.02.2020 submitted before the 2nd Respondent, to the Petitioner's 2nd daughter viz. HARINI (Minor) mentioning the name of the 1st Petitioner as her Mother and Natural Guardian and also the name of the 2nd Petitioner as her stepfather.
For Petitioner in both W.Ps.
:
Mr.N.Balaji For Respondents in both W.Ps. :
Mr.S.N.Parthasarathi, Sr. Central Government Standing Counsel C O M M O N O R D E R Petitioners have come up with the above Writ Petitions seeking a direction to the Respondents to reissue/renew the Passport bearing Nos.M6803635 and M6803349 pertaining to the Passport Application under File Nos.MA2072879356520 and MA2072879363720, dated 25.02.2020, submitted before the 2nd Respondent, to the 1st Petitioner's daughters viz. ANJANA (Minor) and HARINI (Minor) mentioning the name of the 1st Petitioner as their Mother and Natural Guardian and also the name of the 2nd Petitioner as their stepfather.
As the issue involved in both Writ Petitions is one and the same, cases are taken up for disposal by a common order. 3.
The 1st Petitioner herein is the biological mother of one Anjana (Minor) and Harini (Minor). After the death of her husband viz.Venkatesh, the 1st Petitioner, who is a Srilankan National, married the 2nd Petitioner, who is an Indian citizen, on 22.01.2018 as per Hindu Rites and Customs and subsequently registered their marriage. According to the 1st Petitioner, she is a resident of Chennai for more than 13 years and has a valid Srilankan Passport in her name vide No.N3301933 issued on 19.09.2012 valid upto 19.09.2022.
4.
The case of the 1st Petitioner is that, she has plans to take her children to Srilanka, so as to visit their grandparents, especially to see their grandfather, who is sick due to his old age. Hence, she made an application seeking renewal of Passport for her two daughters on 25.02.2020, mentioning her name as their Mother and the name of the 2nd Petitioner herein as their stepfather. As no orders are passed on the same till date, Petitioners have come up with the present Writ Petitions.
5.
Learned counsel for the Petitioners submitted that, the Passports of the 1st Petitioner's children viz. Anjana (Minor) and Harini (Minor) already bear the name of the 1st Petitioner as their Mother and the name of her deceased husband viz. Venkatesh, as their father. Hence, he prayed for a direction to the Respondents herein to renew the Passports of the 1st Petitioner's minor children viz. Anjana and Harini, mentioning the name of the 2nd Petitioner as their step-father, within a stipulated period.
6.
Learned Senior Central Government Standing Counsel appearing for the Respondents submitted that, the Applications for renewal of Passport to the 1st Petitioner's daughters will be considered by the Respondents within a period of four weeks. 7.
Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and taking note of the submissions of the learned counsel on either side, this Court directs the Respondents herein to consider the Applications dated 25.02.2020 seeking renewal of Passport of the minor daughters of the 1st Petitioner, viz. Anjana and Harini, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, mentioning the name of the 1st Petitioner as their Mother and the name of the 2nd Petitioner as their step-father. Writ Petitions are disposed of accordingly. No costs. Consequently, connected W.M.P.No.10367 of 2021 in W.P.No.9763 of 2021 and W.M.P.No.10699 of 2021 in W.P.No.10056 of 2021 are closed.
Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CS III) /True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar (aeb) To:
1.
The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Chennai Rayala Towers, Nos.2 & 3, IV Floor, Old No.785, New No.158, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002.
The Passport Officer, Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), No.103, First Floor, Navins Presidium, Nelson Manickam Road, Aminjikarai, Chennai 600 029.
+2ccs to Mr.N.Balaji, Advocate, S.R.No.62689,62688 +1cc to Mr.S.N.Parthasarathi,, Advocate, S.R.No.63068 W.P.No.9763 of 2021 and W.P.No.10056 of 2021 PL[co] NSK 16/12/2021