Nagpur: On 10/09/25, the Nagpur High Court, while hearing a writ petition No. 5159/25 filed by the ‘Association for Protection of Civil Rights’ (APCR), issued a notice to the Maharashtra government. This writ petition challenges the Government Resolution (GR) issued by the state government on March 12, 2025, and the order dated March 17, 2025, which directs the cancellation of all birth certificates issued by Naib Tahsildars after August 11, 2023.
The High Court has ordered all respondents in this case, including the Maharashtra state government, Chief Secretary, Collectors, Tehsildars, and Naib Tehsildars, to file their replies within two weeks. The petitioners allege that these orders are arbitrary, illegal, and violate the ‘Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 2023’ as well as Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution.
Shakir Shaikh, General Secretary of APCR Maharashtra, stated that the March 12, 2025, resolution added 13 new and complex requirements for the delayed registration of births, causing immense hardship to common citizens. Furthermore, the March 17, 2025, order cancelled thousands of birth certificates without providing any opportunity for a hearing, which violates the principles of natural justice.
This decision has caused distress to many citizens, especially the poor and underprivileged, as birth certificates are mandatory for essential services like Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, school admissions, and passports. The petitioners have expressed concern that the cancellation of their certificates could lead to them being declared foreigners on the basis of religion. The petition was argued by Senior Advocate Firdous Mirza, along with Advocates Syed Owais Ahmed, F. Kashif and Shoaib Inamdar.
