100% agree sir. I have been in a very similar situation. I had booked 4 tickets in Coromondal from OGL TO HWH. Me my better half and 2 daughters aged 3 and 4 ( but booked saying age 5 for both) just to get 4 berth coup. 3 tickets were CNF and the forth was WL. Tkt was e ticket. Cut long story short, TTE came and advised us that the forth child is ticketless traveller. I explained the need of forth ticket. He was not convinced. I had to show my daughter's passport. By seeing the passport he understood the situation. He did a favour to me by providing TDR and shown me the process to reclaim unused WL fare. I got nearly full refund.
Moral...
more... of story; book CNF ticket for all in advance to suit. Do not makeup things.