Indra Alias Sindhu v. The Union Of India

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 12.06.2018 C O R A M THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.S.RAMESH W.P.(MD)No.6486 of 2018 Indra Alias Sindhu ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Union of India Rep. by Secretary to Government Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

2. The Passport Officer, Sastri Bhawan, Haddows Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai- 600 034

3. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Tiruchirapalli.

...Respondents

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to accept the name of the petitioner is "Indra Alias Sindhu" and the given name in her passport is "Indra Alias Sindhu" and the petitioner is entitled to renew her passport in her given name "Indra Alias Sindhu" which has been duly incorporated in her earlier passports issued on 04.04.2003 under passport NO.E4997523 and on 18.07.2008 under passport No.G9656095 by the third respondent herein.

For Petitioner : Mr.AL.Gandhimathi For Respondents : Mr.V.Kathirvelu, Additional Solicitor General assisted by M/s.Raghaventhree

O R D E R

By consent of both the counsels the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal in the admission stage itself. https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

2. As per the official Office Memorandum dated

08.02.2017, the term 'alias' was directed to be avoided in all the passport booklets issued henceforth. In the instant case, the petitioner's name has been entered into as' INDRA ALIAS SINDHU ARUNACHALAM'. The term alias found in the petitioner's passport has the meaning of " also known as". Prior to 08.02.2017, the passport authorities in India have been entertaining the given name as well as the second name together and whenever the person is known by two names, the word alias has been incorporated in the passport. As such the petitioner's name ' INDRA ALIAS SINDHU ARUNACHALAM' in the Passport No.G 9656095 can be considered as her given name.

3. The petitioner shall also comply with any other requirements for the purpose of renewal/ re-issue of her passport.

4. With the above observation, the Writ Petition stand closed. No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CS-III) /True Copy/ Sub Assistant Registrar To

1. The Secretary to Government, The Union of India Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

2. The Passport Officer, Sastri Bhawan, Haddows Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai- 600 034

3. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Tiruchirapalli.

+ 1 cc TO M/S.AL.Gandhimathi , Advocate in SR No. 67829 aav AE/SV MMS/SAR1/03.07.2018/2P/5C W.P.(MD)No.6486 of 2018 12.06.2018 https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/