The Supreme Court on Monday said the date of birth of a person entered in a horoscope can never be given primacy over the date of birth mentioned in his school leaving certificate.
For those who treat horoscopes as gospel truth, it's a bitter blow.
"Horoscope is a very weak material to prove the age of a person," a Bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice S H Kapadia said allowing an appeal of the Punjab government challenging a high court order ruling in favour of a person who had relied on the horoscope for proving his date of birth.
"In most cases the makers of horoscope might not be available to prove that it was made immediately after the birth of the person resulting in a heavy onus on the person who wanted to rely on the authenticity of the DoB mentioned in the horoscope," Justice Pasayat wrote for the Bench.
On the contrary, the statement contained in the admission register, supplied to the school authorities by the father, guardian or a close relative is a more authentic evidence, the court said.
"Therefore, the school records have more probative value than a horoscope. Where no other material is available, the horoscope may be considered but subject to its authenticity being established," the Bench said.