Rekha Paul And ANR. v. The State Of West Bengal And ORS.

20.02.2025 Item No.21 RP/SG Ct. No.01 WPA(P) 499 OF 2024 Rekha Paul & Anr.

VS.

The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Amritam Mondal Ms. Jeenia Rudra Ms. Shipra Naskar ....For Petitioners Mr. Md. Galib, Sr. Govt. Adv.

Ms. Sujata Mukherjee ....For State

1. Affidavit-of-service filed in Court today be kept on record.

2. By filing this writ petition the petitioners pray for a direction upon the respondent no.1 to 9 to carry out proper verification of the death certificates being Serial No.234801 to 234900 containing 100 pages issued by the number 5, Bagdogra Gram Panchayat.

3. According to the petitioners all these certificates are false and fake certificates. In this regard, the District Magistrate, Darjeeling has submitted a report from which it is seen that the District Magistrate has issued an allert office memo dated 12.02.2025 informing the authorities, who are concerned in the matter, that any kind of official work pertaining to death certificates bearing no.234801 to 234900 containing 100 pages shall be carried out only after due verification of its authenticity from the Block Development Officer,

Naxalbari Development Block. The Block Development Officer, Naxalbari Development Block has issued show cause to the Secretary, Lower Bagdogra Gram Panchyat to produce all records before the auditors or inspecting officers as and when required. As the Secretary has failed to produce the record of death certificate bearing no.234801 to 234900 containing 100 pages the Block Development Officer directed to proceed with the show cause notice and take it to the logical end. However, in order to ensure that the death certificates in the above serial numbers are not misused the District Magistrate, Darjeeling shall pass an order suspending the certificates bearing nos.234801 to 234900 containing 100 pages and give public notice as regards the order of suspension.

As and when the legal heirs of those persons, who are stated to have died and whose certificates fall within 100 pages approach the authority concerned with adequate proof of death of the said persons, then after due enquiry the order of suspension can be removed and certificate can be validated. This order shall also be intimated to all the authorities by the District Magistrate to be scrupulously adhered to.

4. With the above direction, this writ petition stands disposed of.

(T.S. SIVAGNANAM) CHIEF JUSTICE (CHAITALI CHATTERJEE (DAS), J.)