HC directs issuance of passport to minor girl

The Madras High Court has directed authorities concerned to issue passport to a minor girl, whose mother has filed a divorce petition, without insisting on the signature of her father.
Passing orders on a petition by nine-year old Vishnupriya represented by her mother R Jayabhaduri, Vacation Judge R Subbaiah directed the passport authorities to issue the document immediately without any further delay.
He accepted the contentions of the counsel for the petitioner that according to provisions of Passport Rules, 1980, a sworn affidavit was required to be filed in case the applicant parent was not in a position to get the consent of the other parent for whatever reason.

The petitioner had already submitted sworn affidavit according to the provision and hence the writ petition was allowed, the judge said.
Vishnupriya's mother along with the child had been living separately after filing for divorce in the family court here in view of alleged cruelty meted out to her in matrimonial home.
As Jayabhaduri, a college professor, had to attend an event in Germany from May 31 to June 2, she applied for the passport for her daughter.
But the application was rejected insisting her to get the consent of her estranged husband and hence she moved the court.