R.Rukkumani, v. The District Collector,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 02.12.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY W.P.(MD)No.34918 of 2025 R.Rukkumani ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The District Collector, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar.
2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sathur, Virudhunagar District.
3.The Tahsildar, Vembakottai Taluk, Virudhunagar District.
4.The Village Administrative Officer, Panaiadipatti Village, Virudhunagar District.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1/6
respondents particularly the second respondent to cancel the forged death certificate of the petitioner's husband late Rajagopal in Reg.No.2.01.2014, issued on 09.01.2014 based on the petitioner's representation dated 12.09.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.N.Balasubramanian For Respondents 1 to 3 : Mrs.K.Malathi, Additional Government Pleader For Respondent No.4 : Mr.K.Chengizkhan
O R D E R
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking for a direction to the respondents particularly the second respondent to cancel the forged death certificate of the petitioner's husband late Rajagopal in Reg.No.2.01.2014, issued on 09.01.2014, based on the petitioner's representation dated 12.09.2025. 2.Learned Counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is the second wife of the deceased Rajagopal. The said Rajagopal died on 06.01.2014 and the death certificate has also been issued to the first wife namely Guruvammal and also to the petitioner, who is the second wife. However, according to the petitioner, the first wife has come only after the demise of the 2/6
petitioner's husband Rajagopal and therefore, she seeks to cancel the death certificate issued to the first wife Guruvammal. 3.Learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the official respondents would submit that the death certificate once issued cannot be cancelled. If at all there is any dispute between the petitioner and the first wife of the deceased Rajagopal, the same can only be adjudicated before the civil court. 4.Admittedly, the petitioner is the second wife and Guruvammal is the first wife of the deceased Rajagopal. In terms of Section 17 of the Registration of Birth and Deaths Act, 1969, any person can get the birth or death certificate of any person upon payment of appropriate fee.
Such being the case, the petitioner cannot seek for cancellation of the death certificate issued to the said Guruvammal, who is the first wife of the deceased Rajagopal. As rightly pointed out by the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, if at all the petitioner is aggrieved, she can agitate the issue before the Civil Court. Hence, this Writ Petition is devoid of merits.
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5.Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs.
02.12.2025 Index: Yes/No Internet: Yes/No MR 4/6
To 1.The District Collector, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar.
2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sathur, Virudhunagar District.
3.The Tahsildar, Vembakottai Taluk, Virudhunagar District.
4.The Village Administrative Officer, Panaiadipatti Village, Virudhunagar District.
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KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J.
MR W.P.(MD)No.34918 of 2025 02.12.2025 6/6