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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 47891

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
D. Bharatha Chakravarthy, J
Poornima – Appellant
Versus
Union of India – Respondent
Writ Petition



Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Romeo Roy Alfred
For the Respondents: K. Govindarajan

The court directed the processing of an Overseas Citizen of India application contingent upon the petitioner's personal appearance and submission of necessary documents before the regulatory authority within a specified timeframe.

Headnote:The petitioner filed a Writ Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a Mandamus to compel authorities to process an application for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. The court noted the government's stance that the application remains pending due to the need for personal appearance and authentication of specific documents. The core issue involves the administrative delay in processing OCI applications and the procedural requirements for applicants. The court established that the issuance of an OCI card is subject to regulatory verification of documents including marriage and birth certificates. The ratio decidendi relies on the administrative authority of the Foreigner Regional Registration Officer to mandate document submission before granting status. The Writ Petition was disposed of with a directive for the petitioner to appear before the second respondent with all specified documents by 12.06.2026, leading to a mandatory processing window of twelve weeks.

Table of Content
1. mandamus for processing of immigration-related applications subject to procedural compliance. (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4)

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Poornima ... Petitioner -vs-

1.Union of India, Rep. by its Secretary, The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), North Block, New Delhi -110 001.

2.Union of India, Rep. by Foreigner Regional Registration Officer, FRRO - Chennai, Shastri Bhawan, 26,Haddows Road, Nungabakkam, Chennai - 600 006. ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the second respondent to process petitioner OCI application in 2025/OCI/0001471 dated 17.11.2025 within a time limit as stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.I.Romeo Roy Alfred For Respondents : Mr.K.Govindarajan Deputy Solicitor General of India ORDER The Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to process the petitioner's OCI Application bearing No.

2025/OCI/0001471 dated 17.11.2025 within a stipulated time frame.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is entitled to the grant of an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card and that, despite having duly submitted the application, the same is yet to be processed.

3. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Deputy Solicitor General appearing for the respondents produced a copy of the communication dated 03.06.2026 and submitted that the petitioner's application would be processed, if he appears before the office of the second respondent with the requisite documents, namely, Passport, Indian Visa, Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate with necessary attestations, and such other documents as specified in the said communication. A copy of the communication has also been furnished to the learned counsel for the petitioner.

4. In view of the above, this Writ Petition is disposed of on the following terms:

(i) The petitioner shall, as expeditiously as possible, appear before the office of the second respondent along with the documents specified in the communication dated 03.06.2026.

(ii) Upon such appearance and submission of the requisite documents, the respondents shall process the petitioner's OCI application and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible.

(iii) In the event the petitioner appears before the office of the second respondent on or before 12.06.2026, the respondents shall process the application and pass final orders within a period of twelve weeks thereafter. No costs.

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