IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KURIAN JOSEPH & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.T.RAVIKUMAR THURSDAY, THE 29TH OCTOBER 2009 / 7TH KARTHIKA 1931 WP(C).No. 27023 of 2009(W) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- 1. FERMI MATHEW ALEX, AGED 29 YEARS, S/O.MATHEW ALEX, PONMELIL HOUSE,VALANJAVATTOM P.O., THIRUVALLA,PATHANAMTHITTA. 2. SUMIMOL, AGED 23 YEARS,D/O.SULOCHANA KUTTAN, TC 56/1485/1 NEDUMKADU VILLAGE, KARAMANA P.O.,TRIVANDRUM DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.S.GIRISH RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE S.I.OF POLICE, KARAMANA POLICE STATION,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 3. SALLY RACHEL ALEX, PONMELIL HOUSE,VALANJAVATTOM P.O., THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA. GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI. T.K.VIPINDAS FOR R1 THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29/10/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: W.P.(C) NO. 27023/2009 APPENDIX PETITIONERS' EXHIBITS: Ext.P1: True photocopy of the agreement entered between the 1st and 2nd petitioners on 15.9.2009. Ext.P2: True photocopy of the complaint dated 19.9.2009 submitted before the 1st respondent. RESPONDENTS' EXHIBITS: NIL KURIAN JOSEPH & C.T. RAVIKUMAR, JJ. --------------------------------------------- W.P.(C)NO. 27023 OF 2009 --------------------------------------------- Dated this the 29th day of October, 2009 JUDGMENT Kurian Joseph, J. This Writ Petition is filed seeking police protection. We are informed that the parties have settled their disputes, thanks to the efforts taken by Sri. S. Girish, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners. We record our appreciation for the efforts thus taken by the learned counsel. 2. We also noted that several documents in the State are executed which are styled as 'marriage agreements' in a stamp paper worth Rs.50/-. In the decision in Syed Abdul Basith v. Asst. Commissioner of Police, reported in 2009(2) K.H.C. 118, this Court had directed the Government to take prompt action to amend the Registration Rules. We are happy to note that the Government has taken action with the required promptitude to prevent the misuse of the rules, in public interest, particularly for safeguarding the plight of unfortunate girls who are misled by execution of such agreements. We find that the Government has amended the Registration Rules (Kerala) by notification dated 21.10.2009 amending W.P.(C) NO. 27023/2009 2 Rule 67 and Rule 191. There will be a direction to the Registrars and Sub Registrars in the State, in view of the amendment as above, not to register any such agreements. Since the youngsters are ill informed, it is for the officers to guide the people for proper registration of marriage under the provisions of the Special Marriage Act after giving the required notice of 30 days. We record our appreciation for the prompt action taken by the Government in public interest. The Writ Petition is disposed of accordingly. (KURIAN JOSEPH) JUDGE (C.T. RAVIKUMAR) JUDGE sp/ W.P.(C) NO. 27023/2009 3 KURIAN JOSEPH & C.T. RAVIKUMAR, JJ. W.P.(C)NO.27023/2009 JUDGMENT 29th September, 2009 W.P.(C) NO. 27023/2009 4