The Delhi High Court has directed St. Columba’s School and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to rectify a Class 12 student's date of birth in their official records. This ruling comes despite the court finding that the student's parents had intentionally provided an incorrect birth date over a decade ago to secure kindergarten admission. While allowing the correction to protect the student from suffering the consequences of parental actions, the court imposed a significant fine of ₹2 lakh on the parents for their unethical conduct.
The Discrepancy and Court's Directive
Justice Vikas Mahajan issued an order on July 17, stipulating that the student's date of birth be changed from March 23, 2010, to April 23, 2010. This correction must be reflected in both school and CBSE records, including the Class 10 certificate and the registration for upcoming Class 12 board examinations.
The case was brought before the High Court by the Class 12 student, through a guardian, seeking the rectification of school records. The petition asserted that while the student was admitted in April 2014, the parents had mistakenly recorded the birth date as March 23, 2010, instead of April 23, 2010. However, the court later clarified that the parents appeared to have acted deliberately.
Conflicting Records and Parental Culpability
The student's guardian presented evidence that the correct birth date of April 23, 2010, consistently appeared in all other official documents, including the birth certificate issued in 2011, Aadhaar card, passport, and hospital records. Furthermore, a CBSE registration list from Class 9 correctly showed the April birth date and was signed by the parents. The discrepancy arose when the school submitted details for the Class 10 board examinations, reportedly using the March date.
Both the school and CBSE initially opposed the correction. The school argued that the student's admission was based on the date provided by the parents, which met the eligibility criteria for the 2014-15 academic session (children born between April 2009 and March 2010). Changing the date now would retroactively invalidate the admission. The CBSE also contended that its records were based on parental submissions and did not fall under standard correction categories for discrepancies between school and CBSE data.
Court's Reasoning: Child's Future Overrides Parental Misconduct
Despite acknowledging the parents' deliberate furnishing of incorrect information, the High Court emphasized that the child, who was only four years old at the time of admission and is still a minor, should not bear the brunt of their parents' wrongdoing. Given that nearly a decade had passed and the student had progressed to Class 12, the court ruled against declaring the admission void ab initio.
Justice Mahajan underscored the critical importance of accurate birth records in educational documents, particularly the Class 10 certificate, which is frequently used for higher education admissions both domestically and internationally. Inconsistencies could lead to significant impediments, including rejection or delays in the admission process, and could cast doubt on the student's identity.
Financial Penalty and Resolution
While granting relief to the student, the court deemed it essential that the parents not escape accountability for their actions. An exemplary cost of ₹2 lakh was imposed on them, with directions that the funds be utilized to support the education of children belonging to the Delhi High Court Bar Association staff.
The court has now instructed the student’s guardian to submit an application with the relevant documents reflecting the correct date of birth. Following this, the school is mandated to amend its records, and subsequently, the CBSE must make corresponding corrections in all its relevant documentation, including the Class 10 certificate and Class 12 board examination registration details.