An authority under the Birth and Death Registration rules is empowered to rectify entries in a death certificate upon verification and enquiry, provided there are no rival claims to the contrary.

ORDER

The grievance of the petitioner is that when the petitioner's aunt, by name, Veeramani, died on 01.09.2022. In Death Registration No. D-2023:33-13197-000033, the particulars relating to her father's name, it is mentioned as Rathinavel Nayakkar, while the correct name is Appaiya Nayakkar. The petitioner has already made an application dated 30.03.2026. In respect thereof, the same was not considered and therefore, the petitioner is before this Court.

2. The learned Government Advocate, taking notice on behalf of the respondent, would submit that unless an enquiry is made by the revenue authorities, the decision cannot be made by the respondent.

3. I have considered the rival submissions made on either side and perused the material records of the case.

4. In this case, it is stated that there is no rival claim. In that regard, the respondent, either by himself or by requesting the revenue authority to conduct a field inspection, can come to the conclusion as to the correctness or otherwise of the claim made by the petitioner. The petitioner can also file such other proof with reference to the name of the father of the dead person. Upon considering the same, if it is found that the entry is erroneous, the respondent has power under Rule 12 of the Tamil Nadu Registration of Births and Deaths Rules, 2000, to correct the mistake. Therefore, let the enquiry be conducted and the error, if any, be corrected as expeditiously as possible, in any event not later than three months from the date of receipt of a web copy of the order.

5. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.