Murugan v. The District Collector

1 W.P.(MD)NO.28938 OF 2025 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 15.10.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN W.P.(MD)No.28938 of 2025 Murugan ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The District Collector, O/o.the District Collector, Tirunelveli District.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Cheranmagadevi, Tirunelveli District.

3. The Tahsildar, O/o.the Tahsildar, Tisayanvillai Taluk, Tirunelveli District.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the third respondent to remove erroneously entered the name in the death certificate of the petitioner's father based on the representation dated 24.07.2024 within the time limit that may be stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.S.P.Naveenkumar For Respondents : Mr.B.Ramanathan, Additional Government Pleader.

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O R D E R

Heard both sides.

2. The writ petitioner's father Thiru.Sudalaimani passed away on 24.03.2002. His death was duly registered and death certificate was also issued. The grievance of the petitioner is that his grand-father's name was wrongly mentioned as Muthaiya Nadar instead of Sudalaimuthu Nadar. He wants the death certificate to be properly amended and corrected. The petitioner's request was rejected by the Tahsildar on the ground that there is no scope for making the correction sought for. According to the respondents, only a clerical or formal error can be corrected. Hence, this writ petition has been filed.

3. The learned Additional Government Pleader draws my attention to G.O.(Ms).No.351 Health and Family Welfare(AB2) Department dated 31.07.2025. It reads as follows:- 2/6

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4. The expression clerical or formal error will have to be construed rather liberally. If the writ petitioner's grand-father's 4/6

5 W.P.(MD)NO.28938 OF 2025 name is actually Sudalaimuthu Nadar, then correction has to be made. Even a dead person cannot be wrongly referred to. However, the materials on record are not sufficient to come to the conclusion that the name of the writ petitioner's grand-father is Sudalaimuthu Nadar and not Muthiah Nadar. It is for the writ petitioner to place sufficient materials before the third respondent in support of his claim. If the third respondent is satisfied with the material furnished by the writ petitioner, then appropriate amendment shall be made in the death certificate and revised certificate shall be issued. The entire exercise shall be completed within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. This writ petition stands allowed on these terms. No costs.

15.10.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No PMU 5/6

6 W.P.(MD)NO.28938 OF 2025 G.R.SWAMINATHAN,J.

PMU To:

1. The District Collector, O/o.the District Collector, Tirunelveli District.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Cheranmagadevi, Tirunelveli District.

3. The Tahsildar, O/o.the Tahsildar, Tisayanvillai Taluk, Tirunelveli District.

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