A 20-year-old woman from Mansa taluka in Gujarat has moved the Gujarat high court seeking to replace her stepfather's name with that of her biological father in her school leaving certificate and marksheets. The petitioner, who lost her mother during the COVID-19 pandemic, claims that the mismatch in names on official documents has created complications, including difficulties in obtaining a passport and visa.
Background of the Case
According to the petition filed through her advocate, the woman's parents separated through a customary divorce when she was very young. Her mother later remarried and moved to Bharuch district, taking the child along. Since she studied in Bharuch up to Class 10, her school records and marksheets issued by the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board carried the name of her stepfather.
The petition states that the stepfather's name was entered in official records without any formal adoption process or legal procedure. After her mother's death during the pandemic, the petitioner returned to Gandhinagar and has since been living with her biological father.
Legal Proceedings
Last year, she approached a court in Mansa seeking directions to school and board authorities to correct her records. On February 28, the court reportedly declared that the school should make the necessary corrections. However, as she also wanted the changes reflected in her marksheets, she moved the high court, arguing that the discrepancy was preventing her from obtaining a passport and visa. Replacing her stepfather's name with her biological father's name would resolve her problem.
Justice H M Prachchhak has issued notice to the education board and school authorities, seeking their responses. The court has posted the matter for further hearing on June 22.
