A.Gragory Christu Raj v. The Commissioner,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 11.09.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE Ms.JUSTICE P.T.ASHA A.Gragory Chirstu Raj ... Petitioner -vsThe Commissioner, Kuzhithurai Municipality, Marthandam Post, Kanyakumari District.
... Respondent Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the order passed in Na.Ka.No.2396/2025/H1 dated 05.08.2025 issued by the respondent quash the same consequently direct the respondent to change the petitioner's daughter name as Krasheha G.J based on the Gazette Publication of Government of Tamil Nadu dated 12.11.2014 within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner :
Mr.T.Selvakumaran For Respondent :
Mr.P.Athimoolapandi
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed seeking to quash the order passed by the respondent in Na.Ka.No.2396/2025/H1, dated 05.08.2025, in and by which, the petitioner's request for changing his daughter's name based on the Gazette Publication has been rejected and consequently, to change his daughter's name as 'Krasheha G.J'.
2. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr.P.Athimoolapandi, learned counsel, who takes notice for the respondent. By consent, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
3. The short facts set out in the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition are as follows:
3.1 The petitioner got married to one C.Josphine Sheela and they were blessed with female child on 11.10.2002 at PPKM Hospital, Marthandam. At that time, she was named as 'Agija' by the elders of the family. Since they intended to change her name, they had issued a Gazette publication on 21.12.2011, wherein
by mistake her name was published as 'G.J.Barina'. Once again, the petitioner has effected Gazette notification changing his daughter's name as 'Krasheha G.J'. 3.2 The petitioner would submit that his daughter had completed B.Sc., Nursing course and in all the certificates, her name was mentioned as 'Krasheha G.J'. However, when the petitioner's daughter has applied for passport, she was asked to furnish her birth certificate showing her name as 'Krasheha G.J'. Therefore, an application was made on 05.08.2025 to change her name in the birth certificate as 'Krasheha G.J'. However, the said application was rejected vide impugned order. Therefore, the petitioner is before this Court.
4. A perusal of the document would show that at the time of birth of the petitioner's daughter, she was named as 'Agija', however, in all her school certificates, she has been described as 'Krasheha G.J' and this change was effected without any official procedure for name change. Subsequently, the petitioner has caused a Gazette publication on 21.12.2011, wherein the name of petitioner's daughter has been changed from 'Agija' to 'G.J.Barina', even at that point in time, the name of the petitioner's daughter as shown in the School Certificate, Voter ID,
Adhaar Card etc., has not been incorporated and rather, a total different name has been incorporated in the Gazette notification, which is sought to be rectified three years later via another Gazette notification, wherein the name 'G.J.Barina' has been changed as 'Krasheha G.J'. The authorities, upon noticing the contradictions in the various names, have rightly pointed out that there is no provision under the Registration of Birth and Deaths Act, 1969, to effect a fresh correction of name in the birth certificate at this stage. Furthermore, the learned counsel for the petitioner has not been able to produce the legal document or statutory provision in support of the petitioner's request, nor demonstrated how the authorities have failed to discharge the statutory duty imposed upon them. In these circumstances, I do not find any reason to quash the impugned order passed by the respondent. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is dismissed. No costs. 11.09.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Rmk To
The Commissioner, Kuzhithurai Municipality, Marthandam Post, Kanyakumari District.
P.T.ASHA, J.
Rmk 11.09.2025