IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN MONDAY, THE 18TH AUGUST 2008 / 27TH SRAVANA 1930 WP(C).No. 24574 of 2008(A) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------ 1. PRAVEEN THERULLIL THOMAS, AGED 28 YEARS, S/O.T.C.THOMAS, THERULLIL HOUSE, PAINGARAPPILLY.P.O, ERNAKULAM-682 314. 2. NIMMY JACOB, AGED 27 YEARS, D/O.P.T.JACOB, POKKANATHIL HOUSE, POTHANICAD.P.O, ERNAKULAM-686 671. BY ADV. SRI.P.GOPAKUMARAN NAIR SRI.K.JOSE KURIAKOSE SRI.C.S.DIAS SRI.N.K.SUBRAMANIAN RESPONDENTS: ------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF LAW, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE MARRIAGE OFFICER, SUB REGISTRY OFFICE, ANGAMALY, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT. 3. SUB DIVISIONAL MAGISTRATE (R.D.O), FORT COCHIN, COCHIN – 682001. ADDL. R3 IS IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER IN I.A.NO. 10756/2008 DATED 18-8-2008. BY GOVT. PLEADER SRI. I.V. PRAMOD. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 18/08/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S. Siri Jagan, J. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= W. P (C) No. 24574 of 2008 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dated this, the 18th August, 2008. J U D G M E N T The petitioners seek solemnization and registration of their marriage under the Cochin Christian Civil Marriage Act. Their grievance is that although they have filed Ext. P2 notice under the Act, the same is not being accepted and processed in accordance with the Cochin Christian Civil Marriage Act. The petitioners would further submit that in the absence of the designated marriage officer, the additional 3rd respondent is in charge of the functions of the marriage officer and therefore they seek a direction to the additional 3rd respondent to accept the original of Ext. P2 and process the same in accordance with the Act. 2. I have heard the learned Government Pleader also. 3. It is now settled law that the residents of the erstwhile Cochin area can still get their marriage solemnized and registered under the Cochin Christian Civil Marriage Act. That being so, the 3rd respondent ought to have accepted Ext. P2 and processed the same in accordance with the said Act. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the additional 3rd respondent to accept the original of Ext. P3 and to process the same in accordance with Cochin Christian Civil Marriage Act, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within seven days from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Sd/- S. Siri Jagan, Judge. Tds/ [True copy] P.S to Judge.