UP woman's death certificate delayed by 9 months, court seeks action over lapse

A court in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda has directed the municipal administration to identify and take legal action against the officials responsible for a nine-month delay in issuing a woman’s death certificate.

The Permanent Lok Adalat observed that the delay amounted to serious departmental negligence after the Banda Municipal Council told the court that the certificate was not issued because the application had overwriting and whitener and lacked evidence of the death.

The case was filed by the woman’s son, who said he had applied for his mother’s death certificate in August 2025 after completing all the required formalities. He submitted an affidavit, witness details, Aadhaar card and other documents as part of the prescribed procedure.

The municipal authorities conducted an enquiry but did not issue the certificate. The applicant then approached the Permanent Lok Adalat in October 2025.

During the proceedings, the court summoned the municipal administration and sought an explanation for the delay. In its response, the municipality cited overwriting and the use of whitener on the application, besides saying that there was no evidence of the death.

The explanation prompted the court to seek details of the matter and examine the records.

Meanwhile, in May 2026, the municipal authorities sent a report to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, stating that all formalities had been completed and recommending that the death certificate be issued.

The court questioned why the certificate was eventually issued after the municipality had earlier cited deficiencies as the reason for withholding it. It termed the nine-month delay a serious lapse on the part of the department.

The court also took note of an oral allegation that money was sought unethically in connection with the issuance of the certificate and directed the municipal administration to take legal action against the employee found responsible.

The bench comprising Banda Permanent Lok Adalat president Vivek Kumar, senior member Dr Brahmadutt Singh and member Shivangi Shukla accepted the case and directed the executive officer of Banda Municipal Council to identify the officer or employee responsible for the lapse.

The court further ordered an inquiry and directed the municipal administration to take legal action against those found responsible and inform it about the action taken.- Ends