The Madras High Court has directed reconsideration of a minor’s passport renewal, holding that his father’s acquisition of British citizenship did not automatically end the child’s Indian citizenship.
Judge / Bench — Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy.
In Aarush Shanmugam Gurudev v Regional Passport Officer, decided on 13 October 2026, the child was born in India to Indian parents and his mother remained Indian. The court distinguished a registered renunciation under Section 8 of the Citizenship Act from voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship under Section 9. The latter did not, by itself, deprive the minor of citizenship.
The passport authority must consider and dispose of the renewal application within three months of receiving the order, subject to submission of other required documents. The court did not order unconditional renewal.
Advocates appearing — For the petitioner — S. Anusha. For respondent 1 — G. Ramanathan, CGSC.