Civil Suits Not Maintainable to Rectify Birth or Death Certificates: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court ruled that civil suits seeking rectification of entries in birth or death certificates are not maintainable, as such matters fall exclusively under the Registrar’s jurisdiction per Section 15 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, and Rules 7 and 11 of the Karnataka Rules, 1999.

The decision came after petitioner Suhas L’s appeal against a trial court order dismissing his plea to change his mother’s name on a death certificate.

The Court emphasised that the Act provides a special mechanism for corrections, and civil courts lack jurisdiction.

The appeal was dismissed, advising the petitioner to apply to the Registrar.