IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN WEDNESDAY, THE 20TH AUGUST 2008 / 29TH SRAVANA 1930 WP(C).No. 22492 of 2008(C) ---------- -------------------------- PETITIONER: -------------------- PANIKAVEETIL UMMER MOHAMMED ALI @ UMMER PANIKAVEETTIL, S/O.MOHAMMED ALI, AGED 47 YEARS PANIKAVEETTIL HOUSE, VADANAPALLY THRISSUR. BY ADV. SRI.ANTONY MATHEW SRI.GEEN T.MATHEW RESPONDENTS: ---------------------- 1. UNION OF INDIA, REP. BY ITS SECRETARY MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, NEW DELHI. 2. CONSUL CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. BY ADV. SRI.P.PARAMESWARAN NAIR,ASST.SOLICITOR FOR R1 & 2 SRI.ABRAHAM THOMAS, CGC FOR R1 & 2 THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 20/08/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S. Siri Jagan, J. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= W. P (C) No. 22492 of 2008 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dated this, the 20th August, 2008. J U D G M E N T The petitioner obtained an Indian Passport in 1979. He is employed in Dubai since 1982. When the validity of the passport expired, the petitioner surrendered the earlier passport and the 2nd respondent issued Ext. P1 passport on 21-7-1999. The petitioner alleges that due to some mistake or omission, the date of birth shown in the passport is incorrect. The petitioner is therefore stated to have approached the 2nd respondent for correction of the date of birth in the passport. On account of the inaction on the part of the 2nd respondent on the ground that for correction of date of birth in the passport, a court order is necessary, the petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking the following reliefs: “i) Issue a writ of mandamus or other appropriate writ order or direction, directing the second respondent to correct the date of birth of the petitioner as 20-5-1961 instead of 11-02-1956 in Ext. P1 passport of the petitioner; ii) issue a writ of mandamus or other appropriate writ, order or direction, directing the second respondent to consider the request of the petitioner to re-correct the date of birth of the petitioner in Ext. P1 passport.” 2. I have heard the learned Central Government counsel appearing for the respondents also. 3. Now, it is settled law that in appropriate cases, the authorities under the Passport Act themselves can, without any court order, consider applications for corrections in the passport, if the applicant, with appropriate documents, satisfies the authority that such a correction requires to be made. Accordingly, I direct the 2nd respondent to take appropriate steps in the matter, if the petitioner, with relevant and appropriate documents, proves to the satisfaction of the 2nd respondent that the entry in the passport is erroneous which needs to be corrected. The same shall be done as expeditiously as W.P.C. No. 22492/2008. -: 2 :- possible, at any rate, within one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. The writ petition is disposed of as above. S. Siri Jagan, Judge. Tds/ // True copy // PS to Judge