Muthaiah v. The Regional Passport Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 28.07.2025

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C. SARAVANAN Muthaiah ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Street, Race Course Road, Madurai.

2.The Inspector of Police, Thiruvembathur Police Station, Madurai.

... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the first respondent to renew the petitioner's Passport No.M3116685, within time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.S.Pugalendhi For R1 : M/s.J.Padmavathi Devi Central Government Standing Counsel For R2 : Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi Government Advocate (Criminal Side) Page No. 1 of 5

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to direct the first respondent to renew the petitioner's Passport No.M3116685 within the time stipulated by this Court.

2. The petitioner is the holder of Passport No.M3116685, which was valid from 21.10.2014 to 20.10.2024. It appears that the petitioner made an application for issuance of a fresh passport on 03.06.2025. Therefore, it is not a case of renewal of the existing passport. The petitioner has applied for a fresh passport.

3. It is noticed that the date of birth of the petitioner in the passport has been given as 23.05.1954. However, according to the petitioner, the correct date of birth should be 22.07.1948, which is reflected in the petitioner's PAN Card issued by the Income Tax Department, Government of India; Family Card issued by the Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department, Government of Tamil Nadu; and Aadhaar Card issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India. Page No. 2 of 5

4. The learned Central Government Standing Counsel for the first respondent submits that the second respondent, on verification, has informed that the petitioner's date of birth is the date given in the petitioner's passport, i.e., 23.05.1954. Since the petitioner is already a passport holder, I see no impediment in directing the first respondent to process the petitioner's application by overlooking the mistake committed while obtaining the earlier passport for the period between 27.10.2014 and 20.10.2024.

5. In the light of the records enclosed by the petitioner in the typed set of papers, namely, the PAN Card issued by the Income Tax Department, Government of India; the Family Card issued by the Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department, Government of Tamil Nadu; and the Aadhaar Card issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India, this Court is of the view that the mistakes committed by the petitioner while obtaining the earlier passport for the period between 27.10.2014 and 20.10.2024 should not come in the legitimate way of issuance of a passport to the petitioner, if the petitioner is otherwise entitled to a passport.

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6. There shall be a positive direction to the first respondent to process and issue the passport within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order in the light of above observation.

7. In the result, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. 28.07.2025 JEN Index : Yes / No To 1.The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Street, Race Course Road, Madurai.

2.The Inspector of Police, Thiruvembathur Police Station, Madurai.

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C.SARAVANAN , J.

JEN 28.07.2025 Page No. 5 of 5