ASRA BEGUM Vs. REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition is filed seeking a declaration that the action of the Passport Issuing Authority, respondent herein, in insisting the petitioner to get declaratory order for correction of date of birth as illegal and arbitrary. The petitioner also seeks a direction to the respondent to reconsider the case of petitioner in terms of Circular dated 18-4-2001 issued by Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs.

(2.) It is the case of the petitioner that she was born on 17-11-1979. In 1997, she applied for passport and in the application for passport inadvertently she mentioned the date of birth as 17-11-1972. Accordingly, passport bearing No.A 3139759 was issued on 26-6-1997 showing her date of birth as 17-11-1972. She approached the respondent with a request to change the date of birth. The respondent by communication dated 15-6-2004 informed the petitioner to furnish declaratory order from Court for correction of date of birth. Hence, the present writ petition.

(3.) Heard the learned Counsel for the petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel for the Central Government.