WP/38608/2026 of G.JAIN PRECILLA Vs THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR on 6 October 2026

ORDER

The writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 06.09.2026 and to direct the respondents to issue certificate or order, establishing that both names designate single identity of the petitioner, within the time frame to be fixed by this Court.

2. The petitioner is aged 74 years and she is the surviving widow and legally wedded wife of late D.Devan, who died on 13.04.2014. The petitioner's husband was a retired employee of Moyar Power House, Kundah Hydro Electric Circle and he is a pensioner. After his demise, the petitioner is entitled to receive the family pension, however, the same was stalled vide pension authorisation letter No.79163/1639/BOAB/PEN/64282 dated 24.01.2007, on the ground that a variance was noted in the petitioner name. It states that in the Service Book of her husband (Service Book Vol.II, Page 32), the petitioner's name is mentioned as "Tmt.G.Jayanthi" whereas in the Pension Proposal Book, it is noted as "Tmt.G.Jain Priscilla".

3. The petitioner would submit that the name with which she was called was "Jayanthi", however, all the Government Identify cards namely PAN Card, Aadhar Card, Election Commission Voter Identity Card and Civil Supplies Smart Family Card all identify her a 'Jain Precilla". The petitioner would contend that for the name change as "Jain Prescilla" in Government Gazette, she had made an application to the Government Press on 04.12.2025 along with requisite fee, however, her application was returned on 10.12.2025, demanding her to furnish the School Transfer Certificates issued in the name G.Jayanthi, and also the ecclesiastical conversion certificates, which according to the petitioner, she does not possess now and it is also impossible for her to obtain a copy of it at this age of 74 years. The petitioner had also submitted a detailed representation on 06.09.2026 to the respondents 3 and 4 requesting them to conduct a field verification and issue a "one and the same person certificate". However, there is no response from the respondents to date. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court.

4. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for respondents 1 to 4 and also perused the materials available on record.

5. The total non-application of mind on the part of the respondents and the guidelines adopted by them is evident in the instant case. The petitioner who is a 74 years woman, seeks to have the family pension disbursed to her, on the demise of her husband. However, the same was denied by the Pension Office on the ground that there is a variance in the petitioner name, wherein in the Service Book of her husband at Vol.II Page 32, her name was shown as "Tmt.G.Jayanthi", whereas in the Pension Book as "Tmt.G.Jain Pricilla". The petitioner had sought to change her name as G.Jain Precilla, and for this purpose, the petitioner had submitted an application to Government Press on 04.12.2025. This application has been returned by the respondents for want of School Transfer Certificate and Religion Conversion Certificate from the petitioner.

6. The grievance of the petitioner is that she is not in a position to provide the aforesaid documents after all these 60 years. The records which have been produced before me would show that it is the husband of the petitioner, who has clearly given the name of the petitioner as "G.Jain Pricilla" in the "Form of application for pensionary benefits" and the petitioner has also signed in the "Consent for Recoveries by the Spouse" in vernacular language as "G.b$apd; gphprpy;yh". All the Government official records of the petitioner namely PAN

Card, Aadhar Card, Election Commission Voter Identity Card and Civil Supplies Smart Family Card, stand in the name of G.Jain Precilla, despite which, the petitioner has been pushed all along from pillar to post. Once the statutory records and the details given by her deceased husband in the pension form shows the petitioner name as G.Jain Pricilla, the respondents ought to have processed the pension proposal and not insisted on reconciliation of the name. Therefore, the respondents shall reconcile the name of the petitioner as shown in the public documents and in the application form for pensionary benefits.

7. Accordingly, the writ petition is allowed and the authorities concerned are directed to issue necessary orders for disbursement of the pension within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. 06-10-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No DS

To:

1. The District Collector Office of the District Collector Udhagamandalam The Nilgiris District -643 001.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer Revenue Divisional Office Gudalur Division The Nilgiris District - 643 211.

3. The Tahsildar Taluk Office Gudalur Taluk The Nilgiris District - 643 211.

4. The Village Administrative Officer Masinagudi Village Gudalur Taluk The Nilgiris District - 643 211.

P.T.ASHA J. DS WP No. 38608 of 2026 06-10-2026