JUDGMENT :

The authority of the District Registrar (General) to decline grant of approval to amendments made in the bye laws of a Society, governed by the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific & Charitable Societies Registration Act, 1955, is the lis involved in this writ petition.

2. The Kerala High Court Advocates Association is the petitioner. The Association, which is an organisation of lawyers practicing in the Kerala High Court, is registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific & Charitable Societies Registration Act, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Act 1955'). The petitioner-Association states that it has a membership of around 4000 advocates.

3. Clause 4 of the Rules and Regulations of the Association deals with the conditions regarding the membership in the Association. Clause 10 deals with formation of and election to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of the petitioner-Association consists of a President, two Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and six members of whom one shall be a lady.

4. In the Special General Body meeting convened