The appointment of licensed stamp vendors is governed by statutory necessity and government policy, requiring authorities to consider individual representations regarding vacancies in accordance with prescribed rules and relevant government orders.

6 DISTRICT COLLECTOR, ERNAKULAM
CIVIL STATION, KAKKANAD P.O., ERNAKULAM,
PIN - 682030
7 DISTRICT TREASURY OFFICER
DISTRICT TREASURY, ERNAKULAM, CIVIL STATION,
KAKKANAD P.O., ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682030
8 DISTRICT REGISTRAR (GENERAL)
DEPARTMENT OF REGISTRATION, 3RD FLOOR,
PERIMBILLY BUILDING, M.G. ROAD, ERNAKULAM P.O.,
ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682011
9 SUB TREASURY OFFICE
NORTH PARAVUR, KACHERI COMPOUND BUILDING,
PARAVUR ERNAKULAM P.O., ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683513
SRI. K. M. FAISAL, GP
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION
ON 03.06.2026, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE
FOLLOWING:

P. V. BALAKRISHNAN, J.

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W.P.(C) No.25182 of 2025

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Dated this the 3rd day of June 2026

JUDGMENT

1. This writ petition is filed by the petitioner seeking the following reliefs:

“i. To issue a writ in the nature of certiorari or any other appropriate writ order or direction and to quash Exhibit P4, Exhibit P3 and Exhibit P6 in so far as it is inconsistent with the mandates under Rule 35 of the Kerala Manufacture and Sale of Stamp Rules, 1960;

ii. To issue a writ in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ order or direction commanding the respondents 6 to 8 to reconsider the application of the petitioner to be appointed as a licensed stamp vendor submitted in the prescribed proforma to existing vacancies of stamp vendors in the North Paravur Taluk under the 8th respondent expeditiously within a time frame to fixed by this Honourable Court after giving due consideration for the necessity of such stamp vendors in the area;

iii. Alternatively to issue a writ in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ order or direction commanding the 1st respondent to consider Exhibit P1 and Exhibit P2 in the light of the mandates under Rule 35 (2) of the Kerala Manufacture and Sale of Stamp Rules, 1960 within a time frame to be fixed by this Honourable Court and determine the number of stamp vendors required in the North Paravur Taluk area after examining the necessity and to notify the vacancies so required expeditiously after calling for a report from the District Committee consisting of the respondents 6 to 8 and chaired by the 6th respondent;

iv. To issue a writ in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ order or direction commanding the respondents 6 to 8 to consider the application of the petitioner to be appointed as a licensed stamp vendor submitted in the prescribed proforma to the vacancies of stamp vendors so notified expeditiously within a time frame to fixed by this Honourable Court;”

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that after filing of this writ petition, the Government has issued Ext.P10 Government Order dated 04.03.2026, whereby a direction has been issued to fill up the vacancies of stamp vendors, temporarily, in cases where there is shortage of stamp vendors due to the death of existing stamp vendors and in the absence of their dependants stepping into their shoes. He also submitted that, in the light of Ext.P10, the petitioner has filed Ext.P11 representation before the 7th respondent and he prayed that, a direction may be issued to dispose of Ext.P11 representation by taking note of Ext.P10.

4. The learned Government Pleader submitted that, as per Rule 35(2) of the Kerala Manufacture and Sale of Stamp Rules, 1960, it is for the Government to determine the number of stamp vendors required in a district, after examinin