JUDGMENT

Dated this the 12th day of January, 2022 The petitioner and the son of the 5th and 6th respondents, Georgekutty Sunny decided to get married. The marriage was fixed in February, 2018. The Betrothal was to take place in January, 2020 and the marriage in February, 2020. The bridegroom Georgekutty Sunny is working at New Zealand. Due to wide spread Covid-19 pandemic, the bridegroom is not in a position to travel to India for solemnisation of the marriage.

2. The petitioner submitted Ext.P2 application/notice of intended marriage before the 2nd respondent. The 2nd respondent is insisting personal presence of the bridegroom for solemnisation of the marriage.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the bridegroom is not in a position to travel to India for solemnisation of the marriage due the subsisting Covid-19 pandemic world across and the restrictions on international travel. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that in similar circumstances, this Court has granted permission to solemnise marriages under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 by virtual mode. The petitioner may also be extended with the said benefit.

4. Adv. N.P.Asha representing the 5th and 6th respondents submitted that the family of the bride groom Georgekutty has no objection in the marriage and the marriage was arranged with the co-operation of both the families. If the physical presence of the bridegroom is insisted for solemnisation of the marriage, the son of the 5th and 6th respondents will be put to untold hardship.

5. The learned Government Pleader, on instructions, submits that the 2nd respondent has received Ext.P2 application. The solemnisation of the marriage can be made only after the statutory notice period. The marriage has to be solemnised on or before 01.03.2022. In view of the fact that this Court has permitted solemnisation of the marriage under virtual mode in similar circumstances, the petitioner can be extended the same benefit, subject to conditions.

6. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, the learned Government Pleader representing respondents 1 and 2, the learned counsel for the 5th and 6th respondents and the learned Assistant Solicitor General of India representing respondents 3 and 4.

7. This Court has considered the issue of solemnisation of marriage through virtual mode in the order dated 09.09.2021 in W.P.(C) No.2072 of 2021 and connected cases. This Court held that the public administration has to be modernised and its structure and function should also be modernised failing which the law would remain incongruous to defeat the objective it required to secure.

8. In view of the orders passed by this Court in W.P.(C) No.2072 of 2021 and connected cases, this writ petition is disposed of with the following directions:-

I. The Marriage Officers under the Special Marriage Act is directed to solemnise marriage or register the marriage, as the case may be, through online subject to the conditions hereafter referred:

i. The witnesses required for solemnisation of marriage shall be present before the Marriage Officer.

ii. The witnesses shall identify the parties who are online. iii. The copies of passport or any other public documents in respect of the parties who appear online shall be provided to the Marriage Officer for identification by the Marriage Officer.

iv. Wherever signature of parties are required, that shall be affixed by the authorised Power of Attorney of the parties or any agent who produce any other official documents recognised under the Indian law on behalf of the parties who appeared online.

II. All other necessary formalities as required by law shall be complied with before solemnisation of marriage.

III. The Marriage Officer shall fix the date and time and convey the same to the parties in advance.

IV. The Marriage Officer is free to fix the mode of online platform.

V. The Marriage Officer is directed to comply with the directions as expeditiously as possible on completion of the statutory fo