Bhuvaneswari Ernest v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 27.03.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN Bhuvaneswari Ernest ... Petitioner Vs.

The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

... Respondent Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondent to dispose of the representation dated 20.12.2023 seeking correction of date of birth in the passport bearing No.M6602711 and replace the correct date of birth as 07.02.1963 instead of 07.02.1953.

For Petitioner : Mr.N.Dilip Kumar For Respondent : M/s.B.Deepa

ORDER

Heard both sides.

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2. The writ petitioner wants correction of her date of birth in the passport.

3. The respondent points out that the petitioner obtained her passport for the first time some 33 years ago and even at the time of renewals, she did not bother to obtain correction. The respondent submitted that in similar circumstances, the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court took the view that request for alteration of date of birth in the passport cannot be sought after a lapse of several decades.

4. I intend to take a lenient view. This is because the petitioner is only a home maker. The petitioner does not appear to have taken advantage of the wrong entry.

5. The learned counsel for the petitioner states that due to inadvertence, an erroneous date of birth was given by the writ petitioner and it was maintained at the time of renewals also.

6. A passport is a sovereign document. It should contain the correct particulars. I am satisfied that the petitioner's date of birth is 07.02.1963 and not 07.02.1953. The birth certificate enclosed in the typed set of papers bears 2/4

this out. The petitioner has also enclosed her school records. It is seen therefrom that her date of birth is only 07.02.1963. It is for this reason that I intend to grant relief. Any passport should contain correct particulars and if incorrect particulars had been entered originally, as and when they are noticed, it should be set right. In this view of the matter, the respondent is directed to correct the petitioner's date of birth as sought for.

7. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is allowed. There shall be no order as to costs.

27.03.2024 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No Lm To The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

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G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

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