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Madras High CourtWP(MD)/3917/2026disposed of

Habeeba v. The Regional Passport Officer

2026-02-12Honourable Mr Justice Krishnan Ramasamy6 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 12.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY W.P.(MD)No.3917 of 2026 Habeeba ... Petitioner Vs 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai-625 002.

2.The Commissioner, Thoothukudi City Municipal Corporation, Thoothukudi-628 003.

3.The Tahsildar, Tiruchendur Taluk Office, Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi District-628 215.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to consider and pass appropriate orders on the petitioner's representation dated 26.11.2025 and consequently process and issue the passport to the petitioner's minor son based on the Government Gazette Notification dated 01.05.2024 evidencing the mother's name change, without insisting upon correction of the name in the Birth Certificate. 1/6

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Mahendran For R-1 : Mr.B.Narayan Ram For R-2 : Mr.N.Anandakumar For R-3 : Mr.K.S.Selvaganesan, Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

The present writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the first respondent to consider and pass appropriate orders on the petitioner's representation dated 26.11.2025 and consequently to process and issue a passport to the petitioner's minor son based on the Government Gazette Notification dated 01.05.2024 evidencing the change of the mother's name, without insisting upon correction of the name in the Birth Certificate.

2. The petitioner, who is the mother of Master S.Haajid, applied for issuance of a passport for her minor son before the first respondent on 31.12.2025. The petitioner submits that the passport application of her minor son has been kept pending for a considerable period on the ground that the name of the mother mentioned in the child's Birth Certificate differs from the petitioner's present name as reflected in her other official documents. The petitioner's earlier name was "Muneeswari Krishnan" 2/6

and she subsequently changed her name to "Habeeba" by following the due procedure prescribed under law. The said change of name was duly published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette dated 01.05.2024. Pursuant to the Gazette Notification, the petitioner has updated her name in all her official records, including Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Ration Card, Bank Passbook and other Government documents, reflecting her new name as "Habeeba". The petitioner further submits that despite furnishing the Gazette Notification and other relevant supporting documents to establish that "Muneeswari Krishnan" and "Habeeba" refer to one and the same person, the first respondent has failed to process and issue the passport to her minor son, citing discrepancy in the mother's name in the Birth Certificate.

According to the petitioner, such insistence on correction of the name in the Birth Certificate is unwarranted and legally untenable, as the Gazette Notification constitutes valid proof of change of name under law and ought to be accepted by all authorities. Due to the pendency of the application, her son has been unable to obtain a passport, thereby causing undue hardship and delay in pursuing his educational and travel-related requirements, despite submission of all required documents including the Gazette Notification. Hence, the present writ petition.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the first respondent would submit that the petitioner's representation dated 26.11.2025 would be considered in accordance with law.

4. This Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, directs the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 26.11.2025 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law within a period of three weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. 12.02.2026 Index : Yes/No Internet: Yes/No TSG To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai-625 002.

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2.The Commissioner, Thoothukudi City Municipal Corporation, Thoothukudi-628 003.

3.The Tahsildar, Tiruchendur Taluk Office, Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi District-628 215.

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KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J.

TSG W.P.(MD)No.3917 of 2026 12.02.2026 6/6