R.K. Agrawal, J. - (1.) The above appeals have been filed against the judgment and order dated 08.01.2003 passed by the Division Bench of the High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam in O.P. No. 24109 of 2001 and connected matters whereby the High Court had dismissed the petitions filed by the appellants herein.
(2.) Brief facts: (a) In the State of Kerala, a number of persons are practicing in Sidha/Unani/Ayurveda system of medicine called as "Paramparya Vaidyas' and passing their knowledge and experience to their descendants by way of training and practice. Normally, almost all the descendants in the family get training in the same field and adopt this as a profession and means of livelihood. (b) Kerala Ayurveda Paramparya Vaidya Forum (in short 'the Forum') the appellant herein is an association of 'Paramparya Vaidyas' in Travancore-Cochin, registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act, 1955. The main objective of the Forum is the welfare of its members and to render assistance for practice in indigenous medicines. (c) Pursuant to the enactment of the Travancore-Cochin Medical Practitioners Act, 1953 (in short 'the Act'), the 'Paramparya Vaidyas' were debarred from practicing modern/homoeopathic/ayurvedic/siddha/unani-tibbi medicines unless registered under the Act. Subsequently, three Central Acts, viz., The Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, The Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970 and the Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973 with regard to modern medicine, indigenous medicine and homoeopathic medicine respectively came into force. (d) Being aggrieved by the enactment of the Act, Akhila Kerala Parambarya Vaidya Federation as well as the persons practicing as 'Paramparya Vaidyas' filed a number of petitions before the High Court. Learned single Judge of the High Court, taking note of an affidavit filed by the State Government stating that the question of granting registration to practice medicines to the 'Paramparya Vaidyas' can be considered at the time of enactment of Kerala Medical Practitioners Bill, by order dated 17.06.1997 in O.P. No. 118 of 1991 and other set of petitions, disposed of the original petitions while directing the State Government to have a serious consideration of the circumstances expeditiously. (e) Several petitions were filed before the High Court by the 'Paramparya Vaidyas' claiming that the methods had been in vogue for a considerable long period of time. The Division Bench of the High Court, vide order dated 08.01.2003 dismissed the petitions filed by the appellants herein. (f) Aggrieved by the order dated 08.01.2003, the appellants have preferred these appeals by way of special leave.
(3.) Heard the arguments advanced by learned senior counsel for the parties and perused the records. Since a common question of law and facts arise in these appeals, they are being disposed of by this common judgment. Point(s) for consideration:-;