SUBRAMANIAN Vs. REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal filed against, ostensibly, an order, dt.15.11.2017, in R. P. No.677 of 2016 in WP (C) No.14445 of 2016. On closer scrutiny, we reckon that the 'order' is a composite one: It is not only an order in the review petition but also a judgment in the writ petition, which was reconsidered after, presumably, the earlier judgment had been recalled. The procedural ambiguity notwithstanding, we have taken up the appeal on merits.

(2.) Two groups of people forming into societies have applied for registration one after another, but in quick succession. Indeed, the names were distinct and different, yet the abbreviations or acronyms are the same. And this set up both the nascent societies on a collision course, each wanting the acronym (FAS) as its own exclusive tagline.

(3.) At first, Subramanian, the appellant, representing Fine Arts Society, applied for registration to the Registrar of Societies, Thrissur ("Registrar") . He wanted the society's name to be registered as "Fine Arts Society (FAS Konoor) ". Soon thereafter, on 28.2.2015, Alijo Lonappan, the review petitioner, representing Friends Arts Society, applied for registration before the same authority. He too wanted their society's name with the tagline "FAS Kanoor".