JUDGMENT

SHAJI P. CHALY, J.

This is a Public Interest Litigation filed by a Naval Architect and Associate Professor, who is also said to be an Approved Consultant Naval Architect of Ports under the provisions of the Kerala Inland Vessels (KIV)

Rules, 2010 ('Rules, 2010' for short).

2. According to the petitioner, he was the technical expert who assisted the Crime Branch in the investigation of the Thekkady Boat tragedy. It is also submitted that notwithstanding the recommendations of various Commissions of Enquiries, the petitioner was appointed to study the causes of boat accidents and recommend measures. However, the Government has shown little interest in bringing out a comprehensive Rule under the Inland Vessels Act, 1917 ('Act, 1917' for short), which compelled the petitioner to file W.P.(C) No. 17729 of 2010 in public interest before this Court for a writ of mandamus to frame the Rules under the Act, 1917. According to the petitioner, as per the directions issued by this Court, the Government framed Rules, 2010. The petitioner accordingly, seeks the following reliefs:

1. Direct the first respondent not to accept any design for construction of a vessel without the drawings for pr