IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA [CIRCUIT BENCH AT PORT BLAIR]
BISWAROOP CHOWDHURY, J.
Nisha Rani - Petitioner
Versus
The Registrar of Births and Deaths and another - Respondents
WPA No. 404 of 2024
Decided On : 09-09-2024
Judgment :
Biswaroop Chowdhury, J.
This Writ Application is directed against the inaction of respondent No.1 in not disposing the representation made by the writ petitioner to make necessary correction in the Death Certificate of Alok Ram, the husband of the petitioner since deceased.
It is the contention of the petitioner that the petitioner is the legally wedded wife of Shri Alok Ram being married on 19.02.2018 which was duly registered before the Marriage Officer (ADM), South Andaman on 21.11.2019. It is further contended by the petitioner that after her marriage the relationship between the petitioner and her in-laws became strain as a result the petitioner was compelled to file a case under Domestic Violence Act being Misc. Case No. 100 of 2021 before the Court of Judicial Magistrate. It is also contended that during the pendency of the above case, the husband of the petitioner died leaving behind the petitioner and his mother as a surviving legal heir. It is contended by the petitioner that after the death of the petitioner’s husband, the petitioner approached the Respondent No.1 herein for receiving the Death Certificate of her deceased husband, wherefrom the petitioner came to know that the Death Certificate has already been issued to mother-in- law of the petitioner. However, upon the request of the petitioner copy of Death Certificate was given to the petitioner. It is further contended that after receiving a copy of death certificate, the petitioner noted that in the place of “Name of Husband / Wife” her name being the wife was not mentioned in the death certificate. The petitioner enquired about the same from the Respondent No.1 but no proper reply was given. Thereafter, the petitioner by her representation dated 16.07.2024 requested the Respondent No.1 to make necessary correction in the Death Certificate of her husband and also submitted her Marriage Certificate as a proof. It is also contended that the petitioner visited the office of Respondent on several occasions for correction of Death Certificate of her husband but neither the said respondent authority corrected the record nor any proper explanation was given to the petitioner. The petitioner being aggrieved by the inaction of the Respondent No.1 has come up with the instant Writ Application.
Pursuant to the filing of the Writ Application the Respondent No.2, the mother-in-law of the petitioner applied to be impleaded as a party. Upon being impleaded as a party the Respondent No. 2 filed affidavit-in-opposition, challenging the maintainability of the Writ Petition on the ground of fraud. Although several facts of allegation against the writ petitioner is made but the following main facts are taken into consideration for the purpose of the case:-
A. It is contended by the Respondent No. 2 that FIR is lodged against the petitioner at Aberdeen Police Station case No. 107 dated 07.06.2024.
B. The petitioner after leaving the matrimonial home after repeated altercation with her husband had instituted a proceeding under the Protection of Woman from Domestic Violence Act before the Learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Port Blair being Misc. Case No. 100 of 2021 on 16.12.2021, and obtained an ex-parte order under Section 23 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act restraining the Respondent No.2 and other family members from ousting the writ petitioner from shared house-hold. The said Misc. Case was essentially manufactured to pressurize the entire family of the Respondent No.2.
C. On each occasion the writ petitioner used to pick up a fight with the Respondent No.2 resorting to physical, mental and verbal abuse of entire family. Having no alternative and suffering huge torture, the Respondent on 27.12.2021 made an application before Learned Judicial Magistrate, Port Blair under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 against the Writ Petitioner.
D. On 03.01.2022 the Writ Petitioner came to her residence, verbally abused and physicall
The Registration of Births and Deaths Act affirms the legal spouse's precedence over claims by others regarding official documentation of marriage.
The court's decision emphasized the importance of considering representations on merits and in accordance with the law, and granting the petitioner a right of personal hearing.
Disputed marital status necessitates civil court resolution rather than administrative proceedings.
The court clarified a legally wedded wife holds superior claim over marital status, emphasized by the requirement for authentic marriage documentation.
Court directs authorities to consider representation for correcting erroneous spouse name in death certificate within stipulated time.
Writ court declines death certificate correction amid contradictory evidence; directs civil court remedy.
Belated rectification requests for death certificates after significant delay not entertained by court.
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