IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN FRIDAY, THE 13TH JUNE 2008 / 23RD JYAISHTA 1930 WP(C).No. 17711 of 2008(H) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------ 1. SAMSOM PHILIP, S/O.THOMSON PHILIP, AGED 32 YEARS, SALEM, NEAR WATER TANK, ANGAMALY P.O., ERNAKULAM. 2. RACHEL JAMES, D/O.JAMES, AGED 29 YEARS, C/O.F.J.JAMES, HOUSE NO.11/85 A, PATTALAM ROAD, KOCHI - 1. BY ADV. SRI.V.V.NANDAGOPAL NAMBIAR RESPONDENTS: ------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, REVENUE DEPARTMENT, GOVT.SECRETARIAT, TRIVANDRUM. 2. THE MARRIAGE REGISTRAR/SUB REGISTRAR, SUB REGISTRAR OFFICE, ALUVA. BY GP. SRI. I.V. PRAMOD THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 13/06/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S.SIRI JAGAN, J = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = W.P.(C).No. 17711 OF 2008 = = = = = = = = = = = = = Dated this the 13th day of June, 2008. J U D G M E N T Government Pleader takes notice. The petitioners' complaint in this writ petition is that although the petitioners have submitted Ext.P3 notice of marriage under the Cochin Christian Civil Marriage Act, the same is not being accepted and processed in accordance with the Act. This court has already held that persons residing within the limits of erstwhile Cochin State are entitled to benefit of the Cochin Christian Civil Marriage Act even now. In the above circumstances, the 2nd respondent has a duty to accept and process the original of Ext.P3 notice in accordance with the said Act. 2. Learned Government Pleader submits that the person designated as the marriage officer has been transferred. The Act provides that the Sub Divisional Magistrate can act as the marriage officer in the absence of the marriage officer. W.P.(C).No. 17711 OF 2008 2 In the above circumstances, I dispose of this writ petition with a direction to the 2nd respondent or the Sub Divisional Magistrate who is in charge of the marriage officer to accept Ext.P3 notice of marriage and process the same in accordance with the Cochin Christian Civil Marriage Act, as expeditiously as possible at any rate within 7 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. S.SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE bkn/-