Individual's right to change name in official records, supported by similar precedents.

O R D E R

1. This petition arises out of peculiar facts and circumstances. The petitioner’s name is recorded as ‘Shahnawaz’ in High School and Intermediate Examination Certificates issued by the Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad in

2013 and 2015.

2. In the year 2020, the petitioner changed his name to ‘Md. Sameer Rao’ by making a publication in the Official Gazette. Consequently, he made an application for change of name in his High School and Intermediate Examination Certificates. The same was rejected by the Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad. Aggrieved thereby, the petitioner filed a writ petition before the High Court.

3. The learned Single Judge of the High Court vide order dated 25.08.2023, allowed the writ petition. An intra- Court appeal was preferred by the respondents, which was allowed. Being aggrieved thereby, the present petition is filed.

4. It is not in dispute that the learned Single Judge vide order dated 25.08.2023 had allowed two writ petitions, however, the respondents chose to challenge only the judgment and order passed in the petitioner’s case.

5. An explanation is given that the order pertaining to the other petitioner was not challenged since in his name there was a correction regarding inclusion of the word ‘Harijan’.

6. Be that as it may, we find that the facts in the present petitioner’s case so also in the case of the other petitioner, whose petition was rejected, are almost similar.

7. In that view of the matter, in the peculiar facts and circumstances, without this being treated as a precedent, we are inclined to allow change in the name of the petitioner.

8. We reiterate that this order shall not be treated as a precedent in any other matter.

9. The prayer of the petitioner is allowed. His name is directed to be changed as requested within a period of four weeks from today.

10. The Special Leave Petition stands disposed of in the above terms, along with pending application(s), if any.