“The district and sessions judges were issued such an advisory following an order from the High Court last month,” informed a source in the High Court registry here on Wednesday.
While adjudicating over a bail plea application of an accused, Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo came to know that the notary public are not only registering marriages and issuing marriage certificates, but also issuing divorce certificates on mutual consent of the parties, which is totally “illegal” and “unwarranted”.
“Such activities of the notary public are creating tremendous embarrassment to the innocent public, who are unaware about the sanctity of such documents,” observed Justice Sahoo directing the High Court registry to intimate about it to the district judges and other subordinate courts.
The High Court has also asked the State law secretary for taking remedial steps and to submit a report to the Court within four weeks regarding the action taken against the notary public who are engaged in such activities.
The State police have been asked to keep track of such activities and take action against the erring notary public in accordance with law.
Notary is a person appointed by either the Central government or State government under the Notaries Act, 1952, as a public officer only to verify, authenticate, certify or attest the execution of any instrument (document).
The State law department has time and again intimated the notaries not to issue marriage certificates or divorce certificates.