Children can use mother's name instead of father's: High Court

Important observation of Delhi High Court

The High Court rejected the father's demand to order the daughter to use only my name

New Delhi: Father's surname or name is usually written on the back of children's names. In an important observation, the Delhi High Court has said that children can use their mother's surname if they want. Children also have the right to it.

A father had filed an application in the Delhi High Court seeking an order directing my daughter not to use only my name but her mother's name behind her name.

The Delhi High Court rejected the father's plea and refused to issue any order. Judge Rekha Palli said the daughter was not owned by the father and he could seek such an order.

What is the point if the daughter puts her mother's name behind her or uses the mother's name in the documents? At the time of the arguments, the father's lawyer claimed that the girl was a minor so he had no idea what she was doing wrong. However the court also rejected these arguments and allowed the name change to go to the school.