Jannath Beevi v. The Regional Passport Officer

W.P.(MD)No.7584 of 2026BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURTDATED: 23.03.2026CORAMTHE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR W.P.(MD)No.7584 of 2026 Jannath Beevi... Petitionervs. The Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Office, Bharathi Ula Veethi, Race Course Road, Madurai – 625 002.... RespondentPRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondent to accept the date of birth mentioned in the Indian Passport bearing No.N6646033 issued on 02.02.2016 and the date mentioned in the Aadhar Card bearing No.[REDACTED] as (date of birth) correct date of birth in terms of the Circular issued by the Government of India as correct date of birth on the basis of the Notarized Affidavit filed along with the Passport Application and issued the Passport in the name of the petitioner based on the petitioner’s representation dated 07.03.2026 within the time frame as fixed by this Court. For Petitioner: Mr.S.Maya PerumalFor Respondent :Mr.A.VeluchamyCentral Government Standing Counsel1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.7584 of 2026

O R D E RThe petitioner is before this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent to accept the date of birth mentioned in the petitioner’s passport bearing No. N6646033 dated 02.02.2016 and in the Aadhaar Card bearing No. [REDACTED] as the correct date of birth, in terms of the circular issued by the Government of India.

The petitioner was earlier issued a passport, which was valid up to 01.02.2026, wherein the date of birth is recorded as 28.10.1949. The petitioner has now applied for re-issuance of the passport. However, the respondent has called upon the petitioner to produce a birth certificate or school leaving certificate to substantiate the date of birth.

Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has issued guidelines specifying the documents that may be produced for issuance 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.7584 of 2026of a passport. As per the said guidelines, documents such as Aadhaar Card, Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC), Service Identity Card issued by the State or Central Government, Birth Certificate issued under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, and other specified documents are acceptable for establishing the date of birth.

In the present case, the petitioner has produced the Aadhaar Card, which is one of the valid documents recognized under the said guidelines. When such a document is available, insistence on production of a birth certificate or school leaving certificate, without justification, is unwarranted.

In view of the above, this Court is of the opinion that the respondent is bound to consider the petitioner’s application based on the documents produced, subject to verification in accordance with law.

The above exercise shall be completed within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 9. No costs. Index :Yes / No23.03.2026Internet: Yes / NoNCC:Yes / Nocmr4/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.7584 of 2026HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J. cmrW.P.(MD)No.7584 of 202623.03.20265/5