Case brief
What is this about?
Madras High Court, W.P.No.5562 of 2025, decided 19.02.2025 by D. Bharatha Chakravarthy J. Petitioner Babybai sought a writ of mandamus directing the Revenue Divisional Officer, Thirupattur (third respondent), to consider her representation dated 24.09.2024 concerning her father-in-law's death at home, which had never been reported. Court held authorities cannot issue a death certificate for an unreported death; remedy lies in approaching the appropriate Magistrate under Section 13(3) of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, whose order enables registration and certification. Writ dismissed with liberty kept open, no costs. Keywords: death certificate; unreported death; S.13(3) Registration of Births and Deaths Act 1969; Magistrate order; mandamus; Article 226; Tirupattur revenue authorities; District Collector; Tahsildar; Village Administrative Officer.
What did the court decide?
Liberty kept open to the petitioner to approach the appropriate Magistrate under Section 13(3) of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.