The Court held that there is a civil right of every indian to be known by his name. Hence one can approach the civil court to seek change of name.

Recently the Karnataka High Court came to rescue a minor girl who wanted to change her name and quashed the decision taken by a civil court of not allowing her to change her name. Justice Hanchate Sanjeevkumar held that there is a civil right of every indian to be known by his name. Hence one can approach the civil court to seek change of name.

The Court further held that since no one has objected to the name change and it will not harm any person by changing the name of the girl.

Every Indian has a right to be known by his name. Thus he can approach a civil court to seek for a change of name.

In this matter the Court looked into the prayer made by a minor girl by virtue of her father. When the child was born she was given the name Lakshmi. But the father and mother wanted to change her name to Veena believing that the child will prosper with the name Veena.

Thus the plaintiff i.e. the father on behalf of the daughter filed a civil suit praying for declaration that the name of the child is Veena. But the civil court rejected her claim saying that there is no document to prove that her name has to be changed to "Veena". Further she has not approached the school which her child is studying to change her name.

This was contested before the High Court. The Plaintiff submitted that as per a circular issued by the Government of Karnataka that in order to change ones name they need a decree from the civil court. Further the Plaintiffs have also produced the public notice published in the newspapers regarding the change of name.

Allowing the prayers of the Plaintiffs, the Court held that the Trial Court had gone wrong by asking for a document to establish that the name of the girl is Veena as it is a case to change her name and not correct her name.

Thereafter, the Court passed directions to let the girl be known by her new name.