Gayathiri v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 29.01.2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR W.P.(MD)No.412 of 2026 Gayathiri

...Petitioner

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

...Respondent

PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records relating to the impugned letter issued by the respondent in 2500038_CPU_MDU (MD1077094948124) dated 22.10.2025 and quash the same as illegal and consequently directing the respondent to reissue passport to the petitioner with her new spouse name namely Manivannan based on her Application in No. ARN.24-1013409429 (File No. MD1077094948124) dated 06.11.2024 as per Schedule III of Section IV(B) of Passport Rules, 1980 within a time may be stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : M/s.T.Veerakumar For Respondent : Mr.Muraliganesh Central Government Standing Counsel 1/4

ORDER

The present writ petition has been filed seeking to quash the order passed by the respondent herein wherein the request of petitioner for re-issuance of the passport incorporating the name of her spouse as Manivannan has been rejected.

2. According to the learned Central Government Standing Counsel appearing for the petitioner, she got married to one Thavakumaran and both of them had entered into a customary divorce. After customary divorce, the petitioner has got married to one Manivannan. The petitioner and the said Manivannan are blessed with three children namely, Mahathi Nachiyar, Mahath Athithya and Mahath Devkannan. He further submits that the passport of Mahathi Nachiyar consists of the name of the writ petitioner as well as her husband, Manivannan. He also relies upon the birth certificate issued in the name of Mahath Athithya and Mahath Devkannan to indicate that they are born to the writ petitioner and the said Manivannan. He also relies upon the passport issued in favour of her husband, namely, Manivannan, to indicate that her name has been included as his spouse.

3. In view of the above said documents, this Court is of the considered opinion that the name of Manivannan could be incorporated as the spouse of the 2/4

writ petitioner in her passport especially in the light of the fact that the passport of Manivannan bears the name of the writ petitioner as his spouse.

4. In view of the above said facts, the order impugned in the writ petition is hereby set aside and the matter is remitted back to the respondent herein for reissuance of the passport in favour of the writ petitioner incorporating the name of Manivannan as the spouse of the writ petitioner. The said exercise shall be completed within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. In view of the above said deliberations, this writ petition stands allowed. No costs.

29.01.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet: Yes/No RJR To The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office (Madurai), Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625 002.

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R.VIJAYAKUMAR , J.

RJR W.P.(MD)No.412 of 2026 29.01.2026 4/4