New Delhi, August 6: Delhi High Court on Friday observed that mother's surname can be used by every child as they have a right to do so and the father cannot command the daughter that she should use only his surname.

Justice Rekha Palli's observation came while hearing a plea of a man who wants that her minor daughter should use his surname in the documents and not her mother's surname. Also Read | Tamil Nadu Extends COVID-19 Lockdown Till August 23, Schools To Reopen For Classes 9 to 12 on September 1.

"A father does not own the daughter to dictate that she should use only his surname," the court said while declining to pass any direction in favour of man. Also Read | Vivo Y53s Smartphone With 64MP Triple Rear Camera To Be Launched in India on August 9, 2021; Expected Prices, Features & Specifications.

The court said that if the daughter is happy with her mother's surname, then there should be no problem. However, the court clarified that every child has a right to use his/her mother's surname if he/she wishes to.

During the course of the hearing, the counsel appearing for the man, informed the court that his daughter's surname was changed by his estranged wife and such issues cannot be decided by his minor daughter.

The man said that the change in name of his daughter will make it difficult to avail insurance claims as the insurance policy mentions his surname with his daughter's name not his mother. The court disposed of the petition but granted liberty to the man to approach his minor daughter's school to include his name as the father.

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)