A Rakiraki woman claims her records at the Births, Deaths and Marriages registry were compromised and had affected her ability to work or study.
Kiran Lata claimed her latest birth certificate had her registered as Mahezabeen Seema Deo.
“This birth certificate also shows that my parents’ names are Tulsi Ram and Sibodh Wati, people I have never known in my life,” Ms Lata said.
Ms Lata said she was born in 1973 and her new records show that her name was changed in 1989. “In 1989 I was in Form 5 in Ba and I was staying with my parents.
“When my father went to get my birth certificate, it showed my name had been changed to Mahezabeen Seema Deo and the names of my parents were different.”
Ms Lata said her father lodged a police report and an inquiry revealed no one by the names of Tulsi Ram and Sibodh Wati existed in Sigatoka.
“Since then, I have been going to the Births, Deaths and Marriages office in Ba, Lautoka and Suva to have the name Mahezabeen Seema Deo removed from my records.
“They have asked me to get a deed poll to change my name, but I won’t do that because it wasn’t my fault that my name was changed.”
Ms Lata said she married in 1994 and settled in Rakiraki with her husband.
“I haven’t been able to work and study because my birth certificate details are wrong.
“I only hope someone in Government can act quickly and have my details in the Births, Deaths and Marriages office changed
“Ms Lata said she engaged a lawyer in July to enquire with the registry. “The reply that came to us from the Deputy Registrar General was that my name remains Mahezabeen Seema Deo and that I was adopted by Tulsi Ram and Sibodh Wati, people who do not exist.
“I am so frustrated and angry.”
Registar-General Neel Singh said they had perused the birth records of Kiran Lata “and we categorically deny all allegations”. Mr Singh said he could not release any details to a third party.
“The complainant should liaise with the Births, Deaths and Marriages office to verify her information, given that we cannot release any personal information,” said Mr Singh.
