Manjula v. The Registrar Of Birth And Death

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 01-04-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE

1. Manjula W/o. (Late) Karthikeyan Subramanian, Old no. 53 New No. 60, Anjugam Street, Choolaipallam, MGR Nagar, KK Nagar, Chennai 78 Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Registrar of Birth and Death Greater Chennai corporation, Ripon Buildings, Chennai 03 2.The Zonal officer Greater Chennai corporation, 36B, Pulla Avenue, Shenoy Nagar, Chennai Respondent(s) PRAYER Call for the records pertaining to the rejection order dated 29.09.2025 issued by the 2nd respondent refusing to rectify the mistake pertaining to the wifes detail of the deceased S.Karthikeyan Subramanian in the Death Certificate Reg. No. D- 2025- 33-21306- 000297 issued by the 1st respondent and to quash the same and direct the 1st respondent to rectify the mistake of the wifes detail in the Death Certificate Reg. No. D- 2025 33-21306- 000297 For Petitioner(s):

K.R.Ramesh Kumar For Respondent:

Ms. Aswini Devi K, Standing Counsel

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed, challenging the impugned order dated 29.09.2025 issued by the second respondent, rejecting the petitioner's request to correct the name of the wife of the deceased S. Karthikeyan Subramanian in the death certificate issued by the first respondent.

2. The petitioner claims that she is the legally wedded wife of S. Karthikeyan Subramanian. The petitioner along with her representation, enclosed documents in support of her contention that she is the legally wedded wife of S. Karthikeyan Subramanian. However, in the death certificate issued for S. Karthikeyan Subramanian, the name of his wife is disclosed as Akila.G. According to the petitioner, the said Akila.G only assisted S. Karthikeyan Subramanian at the time of his accident, which resulted in his death.

3. Ms. Aswini Devi K, learned Standing Counsel accepts notice on behalf of the respondents.

4. Admittedly, no opportunity of hearing was granted to the petitioner, before passing the impugned rejection order dated 29.09.2025 by the second respondent. The documents produced by the petitioner in support of her case, that she is the legally wedded wife of S. Karthikeyan Subramanian, have also not been considered by the second respondent.

5. No prejudice would be caused to any of the parties, if the matter is remanded back to the very same respondent for fresh consideration on merits and in accordance with law after hearing the contentions of the petitioner as well as Akila G., whose name has been disclosed in the death certificate as the wife of S. Karthikeyan Subramanian.

6. This Court is not expressing any opinion on the merits of the respective contentions.

7. Since the impugned order has been passed without affording any opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, this Court is of the considered view that the impugned rejection order dated 29.09.2025 is an order passed in violation of the principles of natural justice. In view of the same, the impugned order dated 29.09.2025 passed by the second respondent has to be quashed by this Court.

8. Accordingly, the impugned order dated 29.09.2025 passed by the second respondent is hereby quashed and the matter is remanded back to the second respondent for fresh consideration on merits and in accordance with law. The second respondent shall issue notice to the petitioner as well as the Akila G., whose name is disclosed as the wife of the deceased S. Karthikeyan Subramanian in the death certificate in respect of the petitioner's application,

seeking for inclusion of her name as the wife of S. Karthikeyan Subramanian in place of Akila G. and after hearing their respective contentions and after giving due consideration to the supporting documents produced by them, the second respondent shall pass final orders on merits and in accordance with law within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

9. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of. No Costs. 01-04-2026 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes ab To 1.The Registrar of Birth and Death Greater Chennai corporation, Ripon Buildings, Chennai 03 2.The Zonal officer Greater Chennai corporation, 36B, Pulla Avenue, Shenoy Nagar, Chennai

ABDUL QUDDHOSE J.

ab 01-04-2026