High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeDismissed as infructuous
Mathew Joseph v State of Kerala & connected cases (W.P.(C).No.14249/2017 and connected Nos.)
Case / Petition Number:WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases
Case Details & Bench
- Court
- High Court of Kerala
- Hon'ble Judges
- N. Nagareesh
- Judgment Date
- 2018-11-29
- Court Decision / Holding
- Writ petitions dismissed as infructuous.
- Final Disposition
- Dismissed as infructuous
Parties to the Case
Appellants / Petitioners
- Mathew Joseph
- N.K. Raghavan
- V.R. Pramod
- Shaji Thomas
- P.R. Sajeevan
- K.D. Thankachan
- E.S. Dileepkumar
- K.R. Sarinkumar
- Thomas Varghese
- Shaji Cheriyan
- Rajan Abraham
- Shaji P.B
- N.V. Varkey
- M.M. Benny
Respondents
- State of Kerala represented by Secretary to the Government, Taxes Department, Government Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram
- The Excise Commissioner, Excise Head Quarters, NANDAVANAM, Vikasanbhavan P.O., Thiruvananthapuram
- The Deputy Commissioner of Excise, Thodupuzha, Idukki
Legal Representation & Advocates
Counsels for Petitioners
- • Sri C. Harikumar
- • Sri P.S. Sidharthan
- • Sri Renjith Rajappan
Counsels for Respondents
- • SMT. Rehna N.S.
Case Synopsis & Summary
This batch of writ petitions (WP(C).Nos. 14249/2017 and connected) concerns the renewal and provisional continuation of toddy shop licenses in Kerala. The petitioners, licensees operating toddy/liquor shops, challenged the renewal regime in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in State of Tamil Nadu and others v. K. Bal and another, seeking to continue their licenses provisionally in the absence of legal impediments. The High Court had earlier issued interim orders permitting provisional continuation of licences if no legal impediments existed, echoing the Apex Court’s proposition. On 29 November 2018, after hearing WP(C).14249/2017 and connected cases, the Court observed that the licence periods had largely expired or were renewed where legally permissible, and that the petitions had become infructuous since the relief sought no longer presented a live dispute. Consequently, the writ petitions were dismissed as infructuous. The judgment consolidates several petitions by toddy shop licensees and affirms that interim relief based on the Tamil Nadu decision cannot sustain where licences have expired or been renewed, thereby bringing the litigation to an end in these cases.
Legal Doctrines & Maxims
- Provisional continuation of licences pending decision in light of the Apex Court’s decision in State of Tamil Nadu v. K. Bal (supra)
Submissions & Arguments
Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners
The applicants argued for provisional continuation of licences based on the Apex Court’s ruling in State of Tamil Nadu v. K. Bal, contending that interim relief should be maintained where there are no impediments in law and that renewals already effected should continue to operate during the pendency of the litigation. They emphasized the hardship to licensees if operations were blocked pending final adjudication and highlighted that the policy framework and renewals were already in place, invoking the Court’s earlier interim orders granting provisional relief.
Contentions of Respondents
The respondents contended that the interim reliefs were contingent on existing legal impediments and that the licences’ status had evolved—many licences expired or were renewed in compliance with law. They argued that the petitions had become infructuous since the relief sought (continuation of licences) was no longer live, given the licencing statuses and renewals, and that no substantial question of law remained for adjudication in light of the Apex Court’s decision cited by the petitioners.
Cited Precedents (1)
| Case Name | Citation | Treatment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| State of Tamil Nadu and others v. K.Balu and another | 2017 (1) KHC 26 (SC) | Positive | The Court references and relies on the Apex Court’s decision to permit provisional continuation of licences where there are no impediments, aiding the basis for interim relief in the batch of petitions. |
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Extracted Judgment Text
Exact text extracted from official judgment records.
## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940**
## **WP(C).No.14249 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER:**
**MATHEW JOSEPH AGED 58 YEARS, VALIYAVETTIL HOUSE, MANNARKADU, ALANALLOOR, THODUPUZHA.**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT, TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 001. 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS, NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 033. 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI 685 584. BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14291/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**2**
## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940**
## **WP(C).No.14291 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER:**
**N.K.RAGHAVAN AGED 60 YEARS, S/O.KELAN, NEDUNGATTU HOUSE, KONNATHADI, IDUKKI-685 563.**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT, TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001. 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS, NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 033. 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685 584. BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**3**
**IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940**
## **WP(C).No.14292 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER:**
**N.K.RAGHAVAN AGED 60 YEARS, S/O.KELAN, NEDUNGATTU HOUSE,KONNATHADI, IDUKKI-685 563.**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT, TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001. 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS, NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 033. 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685 584. BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**4**
**IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940**
## **WP(C).No.14293 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER:**
**N.K.RAGHAVAN AGED 60 YEARS, S/O.KELAN, NEDUNGATTU HOSUE, KONNATHADI, IDUKKI-685 563.**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT, TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001.**
**2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS, NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O.,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 033. 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685 584.**
**BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**5**
**IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940**
**WP(C).No.14294 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER/S:**
**V R PRAMOD AGED 42 YEARS S/O. RAVINDRAN, VELAMPLAKKAL HOUSE, KUMARAMANGALAM, KALOOR, THODUPUZHA.**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
**RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001. 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER, EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS, NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695033. 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE, THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685584. BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**6**
## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940**
## **WP(C).No.14295 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER:**
**V.R.PRAMOD AGED 42 YEARS, S/O.RAVINDRAN, VELAMPLAKKAL HOUSE, KUMARAMANGALAM, KALOOR, THODUPUZHA.**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001. 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS, NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O.,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 033. 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685 584. BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**7**
## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940**
## **WP(C).No.14296 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER**
## **:**
**SHAJI THOMAS AGED 51 YEARS S/O.THOMAS, KANDACHANKUNNEL HOUSE, KAMBILIKANDAM, IDUKKI, IDUKKI.**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001. 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS, NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O.,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 033. 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685 584. BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**8**
## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940**
## **WP(C).No.14297 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER:**
**P.R. SAJEEVAN AGED 52 YEARS, S/O.RAGHAVAN, PADIKKAPARAMBIL HOSUE,THALAYANADU, ALAKODU, THODUPUZHA-685 588.**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001. 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS, NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O.,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 033. 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685 584. BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**9**
**IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940**
**WP(C).No.14298 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER:**
**K.D. THANKACHAN AGED 52 YEARS, S/O.DAMODHARAN, KALLURUMBIL HOUSE, UDUMBANNOOR, CHEENIKKUZHI, THODUPUZHA.**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001. 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS, NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O.,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 033. 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685 584. BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**10**
## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940**
## **WP(C).No.14581 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER:**
**E.S.DILEEPKUMAR AGED 47 YEARS, S/O.SEKHARAN, IRUPULUMKUNNEL HOUSE, KARIMANNOOR, PANNOOR, THODUPUZHA.**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.695 001. 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS, NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.695 033. 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI.685 584. BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**11**
**IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940**
**WP(C).No.14587 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER:**
**K.R.SARINKUMAR AGED 39 YEARS, S/O.RAJAPPAN, KULATHUNKAL HOUSE, VELLAYAMKUDI, KATTAPPANA.**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.695 001. 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS,NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.695 033. 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI.685 584. BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**12**
## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940 WP(C).No.14639 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER:**
**THOMAS VARGHESE AGED 49 YEARS, S/O. VARGHESE, KUNNUMPURATHU HOUSE, THANKAMANI, IDUKKI**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PIN-695001 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS,NANDAVANAM VIKASBHAVAN PO.,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PIN-695033 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685584 BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**13**
## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940 WP(C).No.14647 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER:**
**THOMAS VARGHESE AGED 49 YEARS S/O. VARGHESE, KUNNUMPURATHU HOUSE, THANKAMANI, IDUKKI**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PIN-695001 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS, NANDAVANAM VIKASBHAVAN PO., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695033 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685584**
**BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**14**
## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940 WP(C).No.14725 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER:**
**SHAJI THOMAS AGED 51 YEARS S/O. THOMAS, KANDACHANKUNNEL HOUSE, KAMBILIKANDAM, IDUKKI.**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001. 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS, NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O.,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 033. 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685 584.**
**BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**15**
## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940 WP(C).No.14726 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER:**
**SHAJI THOMAS S/O.THOMAS, KANDACHANKUNNEL HOUSE, KAMBILIKANDAM, IDUKKI. BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT THIRUVANANTHAPURAM -695 001. 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS, NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN PO, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695033. 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685 584.**
**BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**16**
## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940**
## **WP(C).No.14729 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER:**
**P.R.SAJEEVAN AGED 52 YEARS, S/O. RAGHAVAN, PADIKKAPARAMBIL HOUSE,THALAYANADU, ALAKODU, THODUPUZHA-685 588.**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001. 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS, NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O.,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 033. 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685 584.**
**BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**17**
## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940**
## **WP(C).No.14731 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER:**
**SHAJI CHERIYAN AGED 52 YEARS S/O. CHERIYAN, KUTTIPURATHU HOUSE, VETTIKKUZHAKAVALA, KATTAPPANA.**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 001. 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS, NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O.,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 033.**
**3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685 584.**
**BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**18**
## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940**
## **WP(C).No.14735 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER:**
**RAJAN ABRAHAM AGED 59 YEARS, S/O. ABRAHAM, KIZHAKKEDATHU HOUSE, VELLAYAMKUDI,KATTAPPANA.**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001. 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS, NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O.,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 033. 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685 584.**
**BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**19**
## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940**
**WP(C).No.14866 of 2017**
## **PETITIONERS:**
**1 N.V.VARKEY AGED 80 YEARS S/O. VARKEY,NIRAPPEL HOUSE, VELLIYAMATTAM,THODUPUZHA. 2 M.M. BENNY S/O. MATHAI,MAVARAYIL HOUSE, POONCHOLA, PALAKKAYAM,PALAKKAD. BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
## **RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 001.**
**2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS,NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O.,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 033. 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA,IDUKKI - 685 584. BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**20**
## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH**
**THURSDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1940**
## **WP(C).No.17596 of 2017**
## **PETITIONER:**
**SHAJI P.B AGED 58 YEARS, PUNNEKUNNEL HOUSE, S/O BHASKARAN,MANJALLOOR, MADAKKATHANAM**
**BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN**
**RESPONDENTS:**
**1 STATE OF KERALA REP. BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVT. SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM- 695 001 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEADQUARTERS, NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM- 695 033 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE ERNAKULAM- 682 011 4 THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, PAINAVU, IDUKKI- 685 584 BY GOVT. PLEADER SMT.REHNA N.S.**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14249/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**21**
## **J U D G M E N T**
[ WP(C) 14249/2017 , WP(C).14291/2017 , WP(C).14292/2017 , WP(C).14293/2017 , WP(C).14294/2017 , WP(C).14295/2017 , WP(C).14296/2017 , WP(C).14297/2017 , WP(C).14298/2017 , WP(C).14581/2017 , WP(C).14587/2017 , WP(C).14639/2017 , WP(C).14647/2017 , WP(C).14725/2017 , WP(C).14726/2017 , WP(C).14729/2017 , WP(C).14731/2017 , WP(C).14735/2017 , WP(C).14866/2017 , WP(C).17596/2017 ]
In all these cases, licensees of various toddy shops functioning in Kerala are the petitioners. These writ petitions have been filed subsequent to the judgment of the Apex Court in _**State of Tamil Nadu and others v. K.Balu and another** [2017 (1) KHC 26 (SC)]_ . In view of the said judgment, the petitioners anticipated that they will not be permitted to conduct their liquor shops in spite of the renewal of their licences already made.
2. In all these writ petitions, this Court granted interim orders to the effect that the authorities will permit
**WP(C).No.14249 of 2017 & Connected Cases**
**22**
the petitioners to continue the licences provisionally, if there are no legal impediments standing in the way, especially the proposition of law laid down by the Apex Court in _**State of Tamil Nadu** (supra)_ .
3. Today, when these cases have come up for hearing, counsel on either side submitted that the interim orders passed in these cases have worked out in as much as the licence period of the toddy/liquor shops of the petitioners have already expired and that the licences in respect of those toddy/liquor shops, which did not face legal impediments, have been renewed.
In the circumstances, these writ petitions have become infructuous and hence, they are dismissed as infructuous.
## **Sd/-**
## **N. NAGARESH**
## **JUDGE**
aks/30.11.2018