RAYAAN CHAWLA Vs. UNIVERSITY OF DELHI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition is filed by the petitioner seeking quashing of the notification issued by respondent No.1/University of Delhi in so far as it makes it mandatory for a student to obtain change of name in the records of the Central Board of Secondary Education (hereinafter referred to as the 'CBSE') as a prerequisite for change of name in the records of respondent No.1/University of Delhi. Change is also sought in the name of the petitioner in the records of respondent No.1/University of Delhi.

(2.) The case of the petitioner is that he is 20 years of age and is currently pursuing B.A.(Hons.) Philosophy at Hindu College affiliated to respondent No.1. The petitioner is in his 3rd Year of the course. The petitioner was born on 30.06.2000 and was named 'Rayaan Singh' by his parents, namely Ms.Payal Chawla and Mr.Mandeep Singh. The petitioner passed out from Modern School, Barakhambha Road, New Delhi, which is affiliated to CBSE, with the name 'Rayaan Singh', which is the name on which certificates are issued by CBSE for 10th and 12th Class. He then joined Hindu College in B.A.(Hons.) Philosophy affiliated with respondent No.1/University of Delhi as Rayaan Singh.

(3.) The parents of the petitioner had a strained relationship. It is stated that the petitioner never enjoyed any form of constructive relationship with his father and was raised by his mother Ms.Payal Chawla and maternal grandparents. The parents of the petitioner separated in 2007 and obtained a final decree of divorce on 15.09.2015. Since 2007 the petitioner was in sole custody of his mother till the time he attained majority. The father of the petitioner gave up the natural guardianship and sole custody of the petitioner on 03.04.2007 in Guardianship Petition No.86/2007. In view of the above, it is stated that the petitioner wants to change his name as Rayaan Chawla.