Smt. Kavya N K (Mouna N K) Vs the Assistant… — Writ and Judicial Review | Karnataka HC (2026)

Smt. Kavya N K (Mouna N K) Vs the Assistant… — Writ and Judicial Review | Karnataka HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Both impugned endorsements dated 22.12.2025 (Annexures A1 and A2) set aside; Respondent No.2 directed to consider the petitioner's request under Section 15 of the Act read with the relevant Rules, in light of W.P.No.6370/2024, and pass appropriate orders within one month.

Issue for consideration

Whether the impugned endorsements dated 22.12.2025 rejecting the petitioner's request to change her name in her daughters' birth certificates - on the ground that a substantial change of name is not permissible under Section 15 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 - are sustainable. +1 more

Court's answer

The impugned endorsement dated 22.12.2025 issued by the first respondent at Annexure-A1 is set aside.

Ratio / Principle

The order passed by this Court in W.P.No.6370/2024 - that even a change of name, and not a mere correction, in birth or death certificates can be made by the jurisdictional Registrar under Section 15 of the Act - enures to the benefit of the petitioner.

Key takeaways

The impugned endorsement dated 22.12.2025 issued by the first respondent at Annexure-A2 is set aside.ratio¶37
Respondent No.2 is directed to consider the petitioner's request by conducting the necessary enquiry as per Section 15 of the Act read with the relevant Rules and in the light of the order in W.P.No.6370/2024, and to pass appropriate orders within one month from receipt of a certified copy of this order.ratio¶38

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 - Change of name in birth certificate - Section 15 - Petitioner's name recorded as 'Smt.Mouna N.K.'/'Smt.Mouna' in the birth certificates of her two daughters; her request to restore her maiden name 'Smt.Kavya N.K.' was rejected by endorsements dated 22.12.2025 of the first respondent (Annexures A1, A2) on the ground that a substantial change of name is impermissible under Section 15 - Held, following this Court's order in W.P.No.6370/2024, that even a change of name (and not merely a correction) in birth or death certificates can be effected by the jurisdictional Registrar under Section 15, and that the benefit of that order enures to the petitioner; both endorsements set aside; second respondent (Chief Registrar, Births and Deaths) directed to conduct the necessary enquiry under Section 15 read with the relevant Rules, in light of W.P.No.6370/2024, and pass appropriate orders within one month - Writ petition disposed of. (Paras 1-3; Order clauses i-iv)

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NC: 2026:KHC:23339 WP No. 7937 of 2026

HC-KAR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

DATED THIS THE 27^TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.I.ARUN WRIT PETITION NO.7937 OF 2026 (LB-BMP)

BETWEEN:

SMT. KAVYA N.K. (MOUNA N.K.) W/O. SRI. NATARAJA AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS D/O. SRI KANAKARAJ AND SMT. ANNAPURNA R/AT ADDIGANAHALLI, HESARGHATTA HOBLI, RAJANKUNTE, BANGALORE KARNATAKA-560 064.

…PETITIONER

(BY SMT. S. ARUNA KUMARI, ADVOCATE)

Digitally signed by GEETHA P G Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA

AND:

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (STATISTICS) G B A EAST ZONE, P.U. BUILDING, M.G. ROAD, BENGALURU-560 001.

THE CHIEF REGISTRAR BIRTHS AND DEATHS GOVT OF KARNATAKA, 7TH FLOOR VISWESHWARAIAH MAIN TOWER DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BENGALURU-560 001.

…RESPONDENTS

(BY SMT. K.R. REKHA, ADVOCATE)

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NC: 2026:KHC:23339 WP No. 7937 of 2026

HC-KAR

THIS PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 & 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO QUASH THE IMPUGNED ENDORSEMENTS DATED 22.12.2025 BEARING NO.SN(S)/P.R/4380/2025-26, AND BEARING NO.SN(S)/P.R/4508/2025-26 ISSUED BY THE FIRST RESPONDENT (ANNEXURE A1 AND A2), ETC.

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN 'B' GROUP, THROUGH PHYSICAL HEARING/VIDEO CONFERENCING THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.I.ARUN

ORAL ORDER

The case of the petitioner is that her name is Kavya N. K. However, at the time of her marriage, her name was changed to 'Smt.Mouna N. K'. Subsequently, two children were born to her namely, Ms.Lekhana N.Gowda and Ms.Devanshi N.Gowda. In the birth certificate of her daughter Ms.Lekhana N.Gowda, the petitioner's name is reflected as 'Smt.Mouna N.K.' whereas in the birth certificate of her another daughter Ms.Devanshi N.Gowda, it is reflected as 'Smt.Mouna'. The petitioner is desirous of getting it changed to her maiden name i.e., Smt.Kavya N.K.' in the birth certificate of her daughters. Hence, she has requested the respondent authorities to change her name in the birth certificate of her daughters. The same

3 - NC: 2026:KHC:23339 WP No. 7937 of 2026

HC-KAR

was rejected on the ground that there is substantial change in

the name and it is not permissible under Section 15 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 (for short 'the Act'). Aggrieved by the same, the present writ petition is filed.

The petitioner places reliance on the order passed by this Court in W.P.No.6370/2024, wherein this Court has held that even when there is a change of name and not mere correction of names in birth or death certificates, the same can be done by the jurisdictional Registrar as per Section 15 of the Act.

I do not see any reason why the order passed by this Court in W.P.No.6370/2024 should not enure to the benefit of the petitioner. Hence, the following:-

ORDER

i. The impugned endorsement dated 22.12.2025 issued by first respondent at Annexure-'A1' is set aside.

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NC: 2026:KHC:23339 WP No. 7937 of 2026

HC-KAR

ii. The impugned endorsement dated 22.12.2025 issued by first respondent at Annexure-'A2' is set aside.

iii. Respondent No.2 is directed to consider the request of the petitioner by conducting the necessary enquiry as per Section 15 of the Act read with the relevant Rules and also in the light of the order passed in W.P.No.6370/2024 and pass appropriate orders accordingly. The same shall be done within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order.

iv. The writ petition is disposed of accordingly.

Sd/(M.I.ARUN) JUDGE

VMB

List No.: 1 Sl No.: 67