Aishwarya Ashok v. The Regional Passport
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 25.09.2025 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI and W.M.P.No.41553 of 2025 Aishwarya Ashok ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Chennai.
2.The Union of India, Rep. by its Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.
... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to issue the renewed passport for the petitioner's subsisting passport Z3451165 vide Application No.MA1075183567525 dated 05.06.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.AR.M.Arunachalam For Respondents : Mr.B.Ramprabu Additional Central Government Standing Counsel ***** Page No.1 of 10
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed by the petitioner seeking for a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1st respondent to issue the renewed passport for the petitioner's subsisting passport Z3451165 vide Application No.MA1075183567525 dated 05.06.2025.
2. Mr.B.Ramprabu, learned Additional Central Government Standing Counsel, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents. With the consent of the learned counsel for the parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.
3. The case of the petitioner is that she has been holding passport No.Z3451165 since 2005. Since the same was going to expire in the month of December, 2025, the petitioner has applied for renewal of passport vide application dated 05.06.2025. While processing the same, the respondents informed the petitioner about the existence of an earlier minor passport issued in the year 2004 when she was 9 years old allegedly applied by her late father who passed away in September 2004. The said minor passport expired in the year 2009, which was never in possession of the petitioner and was never used by her. Despite this, the Page No.2 of 10
respondents have now withheld the petitioner's renewed passport and insisting on revoking both the expired minor passport and the current valid passport. In this regard, the petitioner has made a representation dated 16.09.2025 before the 1st respondent and also sent an e-mail dated 20.09.2025. Since the same was not considered, the petitioner has filed the above writ petition before this Court for appropriate directions.
4. Though very many grounds have been raised in this Writ Petition, the learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, it would suffice, if this Court issues a direction to the 1st respondent to issue the renewed passport to the petitioner, within a reasonable time that may be fixed by this Court.
5. Considering the limited request sought for by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the 1st respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 16.09.2025 and pass appropriate orders, on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
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6. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 25.09.2025 Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order sp Page No.4 of 10
To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Chennai.
2.The Secretary, Union of India, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.
Page No.5 of 10
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
sp 25.09.2025 Page No.6 of 10
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 07.10.2025 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI Aishwarya Ashok ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Chennai.
2.The Union of India, Rep. by its Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.
... Respondents For Petitioner : Mr.AR.M.Arunachalam For Respondents : Mr.B.Ramprabu Additional Central Government Standing Counsel ***** Page No.7 of 10
O R D E R
The matter is listed today under the caption "for being mentioned" at the instance of the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner.
2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that in the second line in paragraph No.3 of the order dated 25.09.2025, instead of 2015, it has been mentioned as 2005.
3. Considering the said submission made by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, this Court directs the Registry to carry out necessary correction in the order dated 25.09.2025 and issue fresh order copy to the parties.
07.10.2025 Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order ssb Page No.8 of 10
To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Chennai.
2.The Secretary, Union of India, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.
Page No.9 of 10
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
ssb 07.10.2025 Page No.10 of 10