Can the Local Registrar of Marriages under the Kerala Registration of Marriages (Common) Rules, 2008 (the Rules) permit appearance of parties for compliance of the requirements of the Rules through video conferencing, is the moot question that falls for consideration in this matter.

2. The relevant facts are the following : The first petitioner is the husband of the second petitioner. The petitioners were Indian citizens. The first petitioner hails from Alappuzha District and the second petitioner hails from Kollam District. The first petitioner married the second petitioner on 23.01.2000 at St.Casimir's Church, Kadavoor in Kollam District. The first petitioner who was serving the Indian Space Research Organisation took up a foreign assignment in Ireland and was accordingly residing with his family in the said country since 2001. During 2009, the petitioners acquired Irish citizenship. Later, they have applied for and obtained registration as overseas citizens of India as well. It is stated by the petitioners that the employer of the first petitioner namely, M/s.Intel Corporation, Ireland re-located the first petitioner to USA during 2016 and consequently the petitioners a