IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC MONDAY, THE 17TH MARCH 2008 / 27TH PHALGUNA 1929 WP(C).No. 8918 of 2008(J) ------------------------- PETITIONER: --------------- M.R. MOHANDAS, ADVOCATE, MOHAN VILAS CHANTHENKERY P.O.,THIRUVALLA. BY ADV. SRI.PIRAPPANCODE V.S.SUDHIR RESPONDENTS: ----------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, LAW (H) DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. ADDITIONAL LAW SECRETARY AND COMPETENT AUTHORITY UNDER THE NOTARIES ACT, SECRETARIAT THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY GOVT.PLEADER SRI.I.V.PRAMOD THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17/03/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ANTONY DOMINIC, J. =============== W.P.(C) NO. 8918 OF 2008 J ==================== Dated this the 17th day of March, 2008 J U D G M E N T The challenge in this writ petition is against Ext.P5. 2. By Ext.P5, an application made by the petitioner for appointment as notary public has been rejected. The reason stated in Ext.P5 is that the maximum permissible is 563 notaries in the State and since the number of notaries exceeded the number prescribed, Ext.P1 was rejected. Petitioner contends that subsequent to Ext.P5, by amendment to the Notaries Act, the number has now been enhanced to 845. It is on that ground now the petitioner seeks to impugn Ext.P5. 3. Since at the time when Ext.P5 was issued, the maximum number permissible was 563, I do not find any fault with Ext.P5. However, now that by Ext.P6, the maximum number has been enhanced to 845, if the petitioner is still interested, the course open to the petitioner is to make a fresh application. In view of the above, I dispose of this writ petition leaving it open to the petitioner to make a fresh application for appointment as notary, in which case, the same shall be considered and orders passed. ANTONY DOMINIC,JUDGE. Rp