JUDGMENT :

N. NAGARESH, J.

1. The petitioner, who is an unmarried Indian Citizen, working as a Quartz Consultant, has approached this Court seeking to quash Ext.P4 Circular and to direct the 1st respondent to accept Exts.P8 and P9 documents submitted by the petitioner and his bride Miss Jeeva Joy.

2. Miss Jeeva Joy, aged 26 years, is a British Citizen holding an Overseas Citizen of India card. The petitioner states that the petitioner and Miss Jeeva Joy intend to marry each other. They decided to solemnise their marriage under the provisions of the Special Marriage Act, 1954.

3. When they approached the 1st respondent-Marriage Officer, they were informed that for taking further steps for solemnisation and registration of marriage, petitioner has to produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and Bachelorhood Certificate issued by the concerned Embassy of the Foreign Nation. These documents are insisted in view of Ext.P4 Circular dated 26.07.2021.

4. In view of the insistence made by the respondents, the bride Miss Jeeva Joy returned to Britain on 16.11.2021. She approached the Consular Directorate Office in London for the requisite Certificates. She was informed by the officials that Briti