K.Gnanaprakash v. The Government Of India

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 23.01.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR W.P(MD)No.34477 of 2025 K.Gnanaprakash ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, Regional Passport Office, Madurai, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625 002.

2. The Passport Officer, Passport Seva Kendra - Madurai, Claret Plaza, Melakkal Main Road, Kochadai, Madurai - 625 016.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents, particularly the Regional Passport Officer (Respondent No.2) to accept the petitioner's application for re-issuance of a passport with the corrected name and date of birth, and to issue a fresh passport booklet with the correct particulars as per the Aadhaar Card and other supporting documents, as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit.

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For Petitioner : Mr.M.Anbarasan For Respondents : Mr.C.Shanmugasundaram Central Government Standing Counsel

O R D E R

The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking a Mandamus directing the second respondent for re-issuance of passport with correct name and date of birth and to issue fresh passport to the writ petitioner.

2. According to the learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner, the petitioner's name is K.Gnanaprakash. However, in the passport it is mentioned as Gnanamprakash. He further submits that correct date of birth is 19.02.1969. However, in the passport it has been wrongly mentioned as 12.02.1965. This mistake has happened when the initial passport was issued to him, when he was 18 years old and therefore, now he is seeking re-issuance of the passport.

3. The learned Central Government Standing Counsel appearing for the second respondent raised strong objection to the contentions of the learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner and had contended that the petitioner 2/5

was initially issued with a passport in the year 1987 which was renewed in the year 1998 and in the year 2009. At the time of renewal of passport, this change in name or change in date of birth was not pointed out. He further submitted that the second renewal was made in the year 2009 and the passport has expired in the year 2019. The renewal of passport is permissible only if it was applied within five years from the date of expiry. However, in the present case, the application seeking renewal of passport has been filed only on 06.03.2025. Therefore, the petitioner has to make a fresh application.

4. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

5. As far as the change in name as well as the date of birth are concerned, it is for the petitioner to approach the second respondent with all the original documents. In case, if they are satisfied with the original documents submitted by the petitioner, the second respondent shall proceed in accordance with law. In view of the fact that the earlier passport has expired in the year 2019, the petitioner has to make an application for issuance of fresh passport.

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6. With the above said observation, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

23.01.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No ebsi To

1. The Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, Regional Passport Office, Madurai, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai - 625 002.

2. The Passport Officer, Passport Seva Kendra - Madurai, Claret Plaza, Melakkl Main Road, Kochadai, Madurai - 625 016.

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R.VIJAYAKUMAR,J.

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