The High Court can issue a writ of mandamus to compel the competent authority to dispose of a pending administrative application, such as one for the appointment of a Notary, within a fixed and reasonable timeframe if the application has remained unaddressed for an unreasonable period.

THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 15.06.2026, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

BECHU KURIAN THOMAS., J

W.P.(C) No.17851 of 2026

Dated this the 15th day of June, 2026

J U D G M E N T

1. Petitioner is an Advocate and he is a member of Pattambi Bar Association. He alleges that his application for appointment as a Notary, submitted as Ext.P1, has not been disposed of till date. The limited relief sought for by the petitioner is for a direction to consider his application in a time bound manner.

2. On 25.05.2026, this Court had directed the respondents not to fill up one vacancy of Notary in the State. Thereafter, the learned Government Pleader has submitted that, petitioner’s application has not yet been considered.

3. In view of the above, this writ petition can be disposed of with a direction. Accordingly, there will be a direction to the competent authority under the first respondent to consider and pass appropriate orders on Ext.P1 application for appointment of a Notary filed as NOTRE/2024/00169 as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within an outer period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment.