JUDGMENT

Dated this the 25th day of February, 2022 The 1st petitioner, who is an Engineer by profession and residing at Kothamangalam and the 2nd petitioner, who is also an Engineer by profession hailing from Angamaly, decided to marry themselves. An application was submitted before the 1st respondent–Marriage Officer for solemnisation and registration of their marriage under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. A notice of intended marriage was also given.

2. As the 1st respondent did not proceed with solemnisation of marriage, the petitioners have approached this Court seeking to command the 1st respondent to proceed with Ext.P3 notice of intended marriage and solemnise/register the marriage of the petitioners through video conferencing/online mode and issue certificate of marriage under the provisions of the Special Marriage Act, 1954.

3. The petitioners state that the 2nd petitioner is now at Belgium and is not in a position to come to Kerala for solemnisation of marriage. This Court in WP(C) No.15244/2021 and other connected cases had permitted solemnisation of marriage through online taking into consideration the pandemic situation across the world. The petitioners are also entitled