Two birth certificates with different details by the Registrar of Births and Deaths at two different locations

Allahabad High Court Court mandates investigation and reforms to prevent fraudulent issuance of multiple birth certificates. Court directs Principal Secretary, Department of Medical and Health, to file a detailed affidavit explaining the irregularities and suggesting measures to rectify the anomaly to ensure issuance of only one genuine birth certificate.

In a significant ruling, the Allahabad High Court has taken a firm stance against the irregularities surrounding the issuance of multiple birth certificates with conflicting details by different authorities. The court's directive emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in the system to prevent fraudulent practices. This decision comes in light of a petition filed by Shivanki against the Union of India and others, highlighting the alarming discrepancies in birth certificate issuance.

The case revolves around the petitioner, Shivanki, who presented two birth certificates issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths at different locations, each bearing distinct details. One certificate from the Gram Panchayat at Har Singhpur recorded the date of birth as January 1, 2005, while another from the Primary Health Center in Manauta showed the date of birth as December 10, 2007. The court expressed grave concern over such anomalies, which could potentially lead to fraudulent practices and misuse of legal documents.

Addressing the issue, the bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Anish Kumar Gupta underscored the extent of dishonesty and lack of control in the current system. The judges remarked that the ease with which conflicting birth certificates could be obtained pointed to a systemic failure that required urgent attention.

To rectify the situation, the court has directed the Principal Secretary of the Department of Medical and Health to file a detailed affidavit. The affidavit should explain the current state of affairs within the department and outline existing measures to prevent the issuance of fraudulent certificates. Furthermore, the Principal Secretary is tasked with proposing immediate steps to ensure that only one genuine birth certificate is issued per individual, thereby eliminating the possibility of conflicting certificates.

The court's order mandates that the Principal Secretary be impleaded as respondent no. 4 in the case, with Sri Manoj Kumar representing him. The affidavit and proposed measures are to be submitted by December 10, 2025, when the case will be revisited for further proceedings.

This judgment marks a significant step towards reforming the process of birth certificate issuance in Uttar Pradesh. It highlights the judiciary's commitment to safeguarding the integrity of legal documents and ensuring that administrative systems operate with transparency and accountability. The court's proactive approach aims to prevent fraudulent practices and uphold the sanctity of documents that serve as prima facie evidence in legal matters.

As the state government and relevant authorities prepare to implement the court's directives, this ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of efficient and honest administrative practices. The outcome of this case could pave the way for similar reforms across the country, ensuring that the issuance of vital documents like birth certificates is conducted with the highest standards of integrity.

Bottom Line:

Issuance of multiple birth certificates with different details by the Registrar of Births and Deaths at two different locations - Court directs Principal Secretary, Department of Medical and Health, to file a detailed affidavit explaining the irregularities and suggesting measures to rectify the anomaly to ensure issuance of only one genuine birth certificate.

Statutory provision(s): None mentioned explicitly in the judgment.

Shivanki v. Union of India, (Allahabad)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2811746