Wrong date of birth in passport

Hi

A person I know had a wrong Date of Birth on his passport. Whether the mistake was from his side or passport office's side is unknown. However he didn't get it rectified as it is cumbersome. However when he renewed his passport after the expiry of the old one, he continued with the same wrong Date of Birth; and has also stated wrong Date of Birth in his US Visa , Canada Visa ,Australia, SA Visa etc. Subsequently he also got the Date of Birth rectified in his Pan Card...giving the wrong date as his Passport. Is this an offence..If Yes, how serious and is it punishable? Can anything be done now as its almost 17yrs. now that the mistake is there on the Passport.

Thanks

Regards

Navin