Kerala High Court: Men Too Have Dignity, Allows Father’s Name Change on Birth Certificate

The Kerala High Court exercised extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution to allow the replacement of a former husband’s name with that of the biological father on a minor girl's birth certificate.

The Court observed that correction was necessary to ensure justice for the child and avoid future embarrassment.

While the Court criticized the biological parents for providing untrue grounds regarding school requirements, it praised the gentlemanly attitude of the mother's former husband, who consented to the change. 

The Court directed the masking of the identities of petitioners to protect their privacy and social identity, upholding the principle of parens patriae.