Ahmedabad Couple Triumphs in 13-Year Legal Battle Over Erroneous Birth Record
A clerical entry made nearly three decades ago has culminated in a significant legal victory for a childless Ahmedabad couple, following an exhaustive 13-year court battle. The dispute originated from municipal records that incorrectly listed their nephew as their biological son, a mistake that triggered allegations of property usurpation and family conflict.
The Discovery That Sparked a Legal Odyssey
The husband and wife first uncovered the discrepancy during a routine visit to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's Birth and Death Department on September 21, 2012. To their astonishment, the official birth record identified them as the parents of a 30-year-old man, despite the couple having never had a child of their own.
Through subsequent investigation, the couple established that the individual in question was actually the biological son of the husband's elder brother and his wife. They maintained that their names had been entered as the child's parents during the registration process without their knowledge or consent, setting the stage for a prolonged legal confrontation.
From Paperwork Error to Property Dispute Allegations
What began as a bureaucratic error quickly escalated into serious allegations of property manipulation. The couple informed the court that the false entry was made with "mala fide intention" to claim their assets, specifically because they had no direct heirs. Their legal filings detailed how the husband's elder brother and sister-in-law had previously pressured them to adopt the boy, and when they refused, the disagreement intensified into a full-blown family conflict.
The Long Road Through the Legal System
In 2013, the couple initiated formal legal proceedings by filing an FIR at Shaherkotda police station and approaching the city civil court. They sought a judicial declaration that the young man was not their son and that the birth record was fundamentally incorrect. Court documents reveal a pivotal moment when both parties, along with seven witnesses, signed acknowledgments admitting that the elder brother had wrongfully entered the couple's names and had promised to correct the mistake—a promise that remained unfulfilled.
Throughout the trial, the couple presented substantial documentary evidence supporting their claims. Notably, the biological parents failed to submit a written statement in response, a procedural lapse that the court interpreted as highly significant. The judicial body ultimately accepted the plaintiffs' argument that the entry had been made dishonestly with the aim of usurping property rights.
A Landmark Judicial Decision
In a decisive recent order, Chamber Judge P N Navin ruled in favor of the couple, declaring that the present suit had succeeded. The court officially pronounced that the names listed as father and mother of the defendants' son had been illegally entered, as the boy was not the biological child of the plaintiffs. This judgment brings closure to a 13-year legal saga that exposed the profound consequences of administrative errors and familial disputes over inheritance.
The case underscores the critical importance of accurate record-keeping and the legal protections available to individuals facing erroneous documentation. It also highlights how seemingly minor clerical mistakes can evolve into protracted legal battles with significant personal and financial implications.
