By filing the present petition under Article 226 of the Constitution, the petitioner has challenged order dated 12.09.2014 passed by the State Government canceling the certificate of the petitioner to practice as a Notary.

2. A mismatch in the pleadings and the prayer was noticed at the outset. In paragraph 2 of the petition, what is averred is that the order under challenge is of canceling the certificate as Notary and further perpetually debarring the petitioner to practice as Notary. The impugned order however provides for the penalty only of cancellation of the certificate. The case and contentions of the petitioner in the present petition therefore have been considered in light of the said factual position.

3. The petitioner’s case in the petition is that he has been an advocate-cum-notary in the City Civil Court at Ahmedabad. He was granted certificate with effect from 27.02.2009 under the Notarys Act, 1952 to practice as a Notary for a period of five years throughout Ahmedabad Taluka/City of Ahmedabad District. One Shakriben Bhikhabhai Patel, resident of Ahmedabad, sent a notice dated 12/14.10.2010 to the petitioner alleging that the petitioner was careless, while no