JUDGMENT :

The petitioners seek that competent among the respondents be directed to issue them a Legal Heirship Certificate because, the husband of the first among them – Sri. Rajendran, has been missing as early as from 20.06.2002. They say that Sri. Rajendran left home usually on the afore date, but never returned; and that, even though First Information Reports (FIR) were registered by their relatives, it do not bear any fruit. They say that, therefore, they are now entitled to obtain a Legal Heirship Certificate with respect to him and that the Authorities are obligated to grant it, without insisting on a “Man Missing Certificate”.

2. The afore submissions of Smt. T.O. Deepa – learned counsel for the petitioners, were answered by Smt. Vidya Kuriakose – learned Government Pleader, saying that as long as there is nothing concrete to establish that Sri. Rajendran is missing and that he is perhaps not alive, a Legal Heirship Certificate, as requested by the petitioners, cannot be granted. She explained that even though the petitioners say that an FIR was registered by their relatives, nothing has been placed on record; and that, as per her instructions, no such has been registered. S