Archive · 24 May 2025
Madras High Court: Accept OCI for Legal Heirship Application
A woman in Chennai needed a certificate to prove she and her sons are the legal heirs of her late husband.
Since they live abroad, they didn't have the usual ID cards (Aadhaar).
The government usually requires this card for online applications.
The judge said the local official (Tahsildar) must accept her Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) booklet instead.
The court referred to a government rule that OCI booklets should be accepted.
The official now has to review her application and make a decision within a month.
The Madras High Court has directed a Tahsildar to accept an OCI booklet as ID.
Manel Amrithkala sought a legal heirship certificate after her husband's death.
She and her sons reside abroad and lack Aadhaar cards.
The court cited a Central government order regarding OCI booklet acceptance.
The Tahsildar is ordered to process the application within four weeks.
- Who
- Manel Amrithkala, the petitioner, and the Egmore Taluk Tahsildar.
- What
- The Madras High Court directed the Tahsildar to accept OCI booklet as ID proof.
- When
- The husband died on March 5, 2025; the order was made on May 24, 2025.
- Where
- Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- To obtain a legal heirship certificate, the petitioner was unable to apply for the certificate due to the lack of Aadhaar card details.
- Petitioner
- Manel Amrithkala
- Deceased
- Husband of Manel Amrithkala
- Location
- Chennai
- Court
- Madras High Court
- Relevant Document
- OCI Booklet
- Issue
- Legal Heirship Certificate