IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, AT DHARWAD DATED THIS THE 16^TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE K.S.HEMALEKHA WRIT PETITION NO.100101 OF 2026 (LB-RES)

BETWEEN:

SMT. SUVARNA W/O. PANDURANG BHAGAI, AGE. 52 YEARS, OCC. AGRICULTURE/HOUSEHOLD, R/O. #4298, VADAGOL RURAL, TAL. CHIKKODI, DIST. BELAGAVI-591244.

…PETITIONER (BY SRI YASH R.NADAKARNI, ADVOCATE FOR SRI. VITTHAL S.TELI, ADVOCATE)

AND:

1. THE COMMISSIONER CITY CORPORATION BELAGAVI, SUBASH NAGAR, BELAGAVI-590001. 2. THE REGISTRAR OF BIRTH AND DEATH AND HEALTH OFFICER, MANJANNA CITY CORPORATION, BELAGAVI, E SUBASH NAGAR, BELAGAVI-590001.

…RESPONDENTS D M i A g N ita JA lly N s N ig A n E ed by (BY SRI ARAVIND KULKARNI, ADVOCATE)

Location: HIGH COURT OF K BE A N RN C A H TAKA DHARWAD Date: 2026.02.20 11:35:13 +0530 THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF CERTIORARI OR ANY OTHER WRIT QUASHING THE ENDORSEMENT DATED 26.08.2025 BEARING NO. CCB.HLT.B AND D/CR/2025-26 ISSUED BY RESPONDENT NO.2 VIDE ANNEXURE-D AND; ISSUE WRIT OF MANDAMUS OR DIRECTION, DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS TO MAKE NECESSARY CORRECTION IN DEATH CERTIFICATE OF PANDURANG KRISHNA BHAGAI AT SL.NO.7 MENTIONED NAME OF WIFE WRONGLY AS RAJASRI BE DELETED AND CORRECT NAME IS SUVARNA BE SUBSTITUTED; AND ETC.

THIS WRIT PETITION COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: THE HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE K.S.HEMALEKHA

ORAL ORDER

The petitioner has called in question the endorsement dated 26.08.2025 issued by respondent No.2-Registrar of Birth and Death and Health Officer, City Corporation, Belagavi (“the Registrar” for short), whereby her request for correction of her name in the Death Certificate of her husband was rejected and she was directed to approach the Civil Court.

Brief Facts:

2. The petitioner claims to be the wife of late ‘Pandurang Krishna Bhagai’, who passed away on 09.07.2025. The death was duly registered with the City Corporation, Belagavi, and a Death Certificate was issued on 21.07.2025. In the said Death Certificate, at Sl.No.7, the name of the wife was wrongly mentioned as “RAJASRI" instead of “SUVARNA”. The petitioner, upon noticing the error, submitted a representation dated 30.07.2025 along with the affidavit and in support of her claim, submitted documents including Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID Card, Ration Card and educational records of her son.

3. Respondent No.2 by endorsement dated

26.08.2025 (Annexure-D) rejected the request and directed the petitioner to approach the Civil Court.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the impugned endorsement is contrary to Section 15 of the Registration of the Births and Deaths Act, 1969 (“the Act, 1969” for short), which empowers the Registrar to correct any entry in the register if it is erroneous in form or substance. He also relies upon Rule 11 of the Karnataka Registration of Births and Deaths Rules, 1999 (“Rules, 1999” for short), which authorises the Registrar to effect correction.

5. Learned counsel submits that the correction sought is only with respect to the name of the petitioner which is supported by documentary evidence and does not involve any adjudication of disputed facts and that the impugned endorsement directing the petitioner to approach the Civil Court is arbitrary and illegal.

6. In support of his contention, he places reliance upon the decision of the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in the case of Mr.Suhas L. S/o Late Lokesh H.P Vs. Chief Registrar Births and Deaths and others, RFA.No.2454/2025 disposed of on 18.07.2025. (“Suhas” for short).

7. Per contra, learned counsel appearing for the respondents-Corporation sought to justify the impugned endorsement and submits that the same does not warrant any interference.

8. This Court has carefully considered the rival contentions and perused the material on record.

9. Section 15 of the Act, 1969 reads as under:

“15. Correction or cancellation of entry in the register of births and deaths