Rathanabala v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 28.08.2025

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C. SARAVANAN W.P.(MD)No.23353 of 2025 Rathanabala ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collectorate, Sivakasi.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivakasi District.

3.The Tahsildar, Sivakasi Taluk, Sivakasi District.

... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the third respondent to issue legal heir certificate of the petitioner's deceased father arraying her as his only legal heir within the period that may be stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Ms.H.Jasima Yasmin for M/s.Ajmal Associates Page No. 1 of 5

For Respondents : Mr.C.Satheesh Government Advocate ****

O R D E R

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate for the respondents.

2. The petitioner claims that she is professing Hinduism, though her mother, Vanadevi, during the subsistence of her marriage with the petitioner's biological father, namely Mariappan, became estranged from him and started living with one Riyaz Ahamed. It is stated that she not only changed her name from Vanadevi to Mubarak but also ensured that the petitioner's name was changed in all official records to ''Ayishashireen'' with Riyaz Ahamed shown as the petitioner's father.

3. It is the case of the petitioner that, after attaining majority, she has started professing Hinduism and is now married to a Hindu, namely S.Akilesh Kumar, who is none other than the petitioner's biological father Mariappan's sister's son. It is, therefore, submitted that although official records such as the School Certificate and the Aadhaar Card show the petitioner's name as ''Ayishashireen'' and as the daughter of Riyaz Ahamed, she is in fact the biological daughter of the said Mariappan. Page No. 2 of 5

4. It is further submitted that the petitioner's biological father, Mariappan, passed away on 20.05.2005, and the petitioner seeks inclusion of her name in the Legal Heirship Certificate, with her maiden name, namely ''Rathnabala'', as per the Birth Certificate.

5. The learned Government Advocate for the respondents submits that the petitioner's request will be considered by the third respondent on merits and disposed of after due enquiry.

6. Recording the above submission, this Writ Petition stands disposed of, with a direction to the third respondent to conduct an enquiry and pass appropriate orders for issuance of a Legal Heirship Certificate, including the name of the petitioner with her maiden name, namely ''Rathnabala''. This exercise shall be completed within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. NCC : Yes / No 28.08.2025 Index : Yes / No smn2 Page No. 3 of 5

To 1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collectorate, Sivakasi.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivakasi District.

3.The Tahsildar, Sivakasi Taluk, Sivakasi District.

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C.SARAVANAN , J.

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