Sriram Gopalakrishnan v. The Tahsildar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 31.07.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH and W.M.P.No.31774 of 2025 Sriram Gopalakrishnan S/o.Late Gopalakrishnan A.

Petitioner Vs The Tahsildar, Sholinganallur Taluk Office, Chennai - 600 119.

Respondent Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent to issue a legal heirship certificate recognising the petitioner and his sister, Ms.Raebecca Pa Stien (formerly known as Srividya Gopalakrishnan), as the legal heirs of their late father Mr.Gopalakrishnan A, by accepting the apostille-certified decree issued by the competent Probate Court in the United States of America as sufficient proof of name change.

For Petitioner : Mr.Suhrith Parthasarathy For Respondent : Mr.R.Murthi, Government Advocate ***** 1/4

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondent to deal with the application submitted by the petitioner wherein the petitioner is seeking for issuance of legal heirship certificate of the deceased Gopalakrishnan by mentioning the names of the petitioner and her sister as Raebecca Pa Stien (formerly known as Srividya Gopalakrishnan).

2. Heard Mr.Suhrith Parthasarathy, learned counsel for petitioner and Mr.R.Murthi, learned counsel for respondent.

3. It is seen from records that the petitioner's father died on 02.01.2025 leaving behind the petitioner and his sister. The name of the petitioner's sister was Srividya Gopalakrishnan. However, she is now staying in United States of America and her name has been changed as Raebecca Pa Stien. To substantiate the same, the order passed by the concerned authority at District of Columbia, USA, is relied upon. When the petitioner sought for the legal heirship certificate, the respondent was hesitating to entertain the change in the name of the petitioner's sister and was insisting that the petitioner must get that name incorporated in the 2/4

Gazette.

4. In the considered view of this Court, the petitioner's sister is a US citizen and therefore, there is no question of effecting change of name in the Gazette in India. Therefore, the respondent has to act upon the change of name, which is supported by a valid document. In the light of the above, there shall be a direction to the respondent to act upon the application of the petitioner and issue the legal heirship certificate incorporating the name of the petitioner and the petitioner's sister as Raebecca Pa Stien (formerly known as Srividya Gopalakrishnan). This process shall be completed within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

This writ petition is disposed of with the above direction. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 31.07.2025 Index: Yes/no Speaking Order/Non-Speaking Order gm N.ANAND VENKATESH, J 3/4

gm To The Tahsildar, Sholinganallur Taluk Office, Chennai - 600 119.

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