SEBASTIAN THOMAS Vs. SECRETARY,LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT DEPT.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is the father of Mr. Mohan Sebastian. Mr. Mohan Sebastian married Mrs. Sonia Raju on 13.01.2020. Mrs. Sonia Raju is now working and residing in Givat Brenner, Rehovot, Israel. Both of them were working in Israel. After the marriage, the couple went to Israel and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are unable to travel back to Changanassery and to register the marriage before the Local Registrar.

(2.) Mrs. Sonia Raju gave birth to a child on 26.02.2021 at Givat Brenner. The petitioner's son is the only person available to take care of the mother and child. To obtain Birth Certificate and passport of the newborn child, Marriage Certificate from the Local Self Government Authority has to be produced before the Israeli Authorities. The couple therefore applied for registration of marriage to the Registrar of Births and Deaths at Changanassery Muncipality. The application is rejected due to non- appearance of parties in person before the Registrar.

(3.) The learned counsel for the petitioner would argue that due to the pandemic situation all over the world, his son and daughter-in-law are not in a position to travel from Israel to Kerala. They are ready to appear before the Registrar by virtual mode. Unless the marriage is registered utilising virtual mode/video conferencing, the future of the newborn child will be put to difficulties and it will affect the family adversely.