High Court of KeralaSingle Judge2018-11-15Dismissed as infructuous

WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected Cases

Case / Petition Number:WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 (and connected cases: WP(C).Nos 14393/2017, 14397/2017, 14398/2017, 14406/2017, 14407/2017, 14408/2017, 14409/2017, 14410/2017, 14411/2017, 14416/2017, 14425/2017, 14451/2017, 14452/2017, 14453/2017, 14454/2017, 14455/2017, 14456/2017, 14457/2017, 14509/2017, 14586/2017, 14604/2017)

Case Details & Bench

Court: High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges: N. Nagareesh
Judgment Date: 2018-11-15
Court Decision / Holding: Writ petitions dismissed as infructuous.
Final Disposition: Dismissed as infructuous

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

SHAJI THOMAS S/O THOMAS
K.D. VIJAYAN
RAJAN ABRAHAM
SHAJI CHERIYAN
SUNIL THOMAS
K.R.SARINKUMAR
K.K. SUKUMARAN
KERALA TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LTD

Respondents

State of Kerala represented by Secretary to Government, Taxes Department, Government Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram
The Excise Commissioner, Excise Head Quarters, Nandanvanam, Vikass Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram
The Deputy Commissioner of Excise, Thodupuzha, Idukki
Government Pleader SMT. Pooja Surendran

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

• C. Harikumar
• P. S. Siddharthan
• Renjith Rajappan

Counsels for Respondents

• Government Pleader SMT. Pooja Surendran

Case Synopsis & Summary

This batch of writ petitions, filed in the Kerala High Court, concerns the licensing regime for toddy shops and liquor shops in Kerala. Triggered by the Supreme Court’s decision in State of Tamil Nadu and others v. K.Balu and another, petitioners sought to retain or renew licences pending adjudication, arguing interim reliefs permitted provisional continuation of licenses where no legal impediments existed. The matter was heard by Justice N. Nagareesh on 15 November 2018, along with a large set of connected petitions (WP(C). Nos 14393/2017, 14397/2017, 14398/2017, 14406/2017, 14407/2017, 14408/2017, 14409/2017, 14410/2017, 14411/2017, 14416/2017, 14425/2017, 14451/2017, 14452/2017, 14453/2017, 14454/2017, 14455/2017, 14456/2017, 14457/2017, 14509/2017, 14586/2017 and 14604/2017). The court noted that interim orders previously granted had allowed continued operation of toddy/liquor shops provisionally, provided there were no legal impediments, and that renewal of licences occurred where feasible. The court then observed that, in many cases, the licence period had expired and renewals had been effected for those without impediments, rendering the petitions infructuous. Consequently, the court dismissed the petitions as infructuous, emphasizing that the apex court’s guidance governs the interpretation of interim relief and licensure in such disputes. The decision underscores a pragmatic close to broad challenges when licences have expired or been renewed under no impediments.

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

Interim relief doctrines; provisional continuation of licences pending legality; reliance on Apex Court decision State of Tamil Nadu v. K.Balu and others (SC) 2017 (1) KHC 26)

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners argued for continuation/renewal of toddy and liquor licences pending the resolution of legal challenges arising from the Apex Court’s decision. They relied on interim orders permitting provisional operation where no impediments existed, contending that renewal would not contravene law so long as conditions were satisfied and no legal impediments were present. They urged that the substantial livelihoods of licensees and their employees depend on the continuity of licences during pendency.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents contended that interim reliefs cannot be perpetual and that the court should give effect to the Apex Court’s guidance and the actual licensure status. They emphasized that licences may have expired or been renewed only where legally permissible, and that licences without impediments cannot blanketly override statutory requirements. The respondents argued that the petitions are infructuous given the expiry of licence periods and the renewal status already achieved in many cases, calling for dismissal of the petitions rather than continuing provisional arrangements.

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	Cited to support the proposition that interim arrangements may be allowed in licensing disputes pending legality and renewal, and to frame the court’s approach to provisional licensure.

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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 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No. 14392 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 P.O. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 033 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI 685 584 GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14393/2017, WP(C).14397/2017, WP(C).14398/2017, WP(C).14406/2017, WP(C).14407/2017, WP(C).14408/2017, WP(C).14409/2017, WP(C).14410/2017, WP(C).14411/2017, WP(C).14416/2017, WP(C).14425/2017, WP(C).14451/2017, WP(C).14452/2017, WP(C).14453/2017, WP(C).14454/2017, WP(C).14455/2017, WP(C).14456/2017, WP(C).14457/2017, WP(C).14509/2017, WP(C).14586/2017 & WP(C).14604/2017, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **2** **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No. 14604 of 2017** ## **PETITIONER:** **K.R.SARINKUMAR AGED 9 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.** **GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **3** **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** **WP(C).No. 14586 of 2017** ## **PETITIONER:** **SHAJI CHERIYAN 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.** **GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **4** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** **WP(C).No. 14509 of 2017** ## **PETITIONER:** **KERALA TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LTD HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT MASCOT SQUARE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, REPRESENTED BY ITS REGIONAL MANAGER & PRINCIPAL OFFICER, REGIONAL OFFICE (CENTRAL).** **BY ADVS. SRI.P.A.AHAMED, SC, KTDC LTD. SRI.THOUFEEK AHAMED** ## **RESPONDENTS:** **1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.** - **2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER,KERALA-695001.** - **3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE, KOZHIKODE-673001.** - **4 CHIEF ENGINEER,PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT (NATIONAL HIGHWAYS), MUSEUM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPRUAM-695033.** **GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **5** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No. 14457 of 2017** ## **PETITIONER:** **SHAJI CHERIYAN,S/O. CHERIAN, KUTTIPURATHU HOUSE, VETTIKKUZHAKAVALA, KATTAPPANA.** **BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN** ## **RESPONDENTS:** **1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY THE 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. GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **6** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No. 14456 of 2017** ## **PETITIONER:** **K.K.SUKUMARAN, AGED 63 YEARS, KELUKUNJAN, KONNAPLACKAL HOUSE, AANIKKADU, AAVOLI.** **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.** **GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **7** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** **WP(C).No. 14455 of 2017** ## **PETITIONER:** **K.K. SUKUMARAN, AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. KELUKUNJAN KONNAPLACKAL HOUSE, AANIKKADU AAVOLI** **BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN** ## **RESPONDENTS:** **1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, TAXES DEPARTMENT,GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 001 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTEERS,NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 033 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONEER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA IDUKKI 685 584** **GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **8** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** **WP(C).No. 14454 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 GOVERNMENT, TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 695001.** - **2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS , NANDAVANAM,VIKASBHAVAN PO, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 695033.** - **3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE. THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI. 685584.** **GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **9** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No. 14453 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 THE 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. GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **10** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No. 14452 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 THE 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** **GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **11** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No. 14451 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 THE 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.** **GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **12** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No. 14425 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 695001 2 THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS, NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695033 3 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE THODUPUZHA IDUKKI 685584 GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **13** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No. 14416 of 2017** ## **PETITIONER:** **SUNIL THOMAS,S/O. THOMAS, CHAMAKKALALYIL HOUSE, MANKUVAIDUKKI** **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** **GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **14** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** **WP(C).No. 14411 of 2017** ## **PETITIONER:** **T.P.AUGUSTINE AGED 59 YEARS, S/O. PATHROSE, THONNAMAKKAL HOUSE, MUKKUDOM P.O.,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 GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **15** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** **WP(C).No. 14410 of 2017** ## **PETITIONER:** **T.P.AUGUSTINE AGED 59 YEARS,S/O. PATHROSE, THONNAMAKKA HOUSE, MUKKUDOM P.O., 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** **GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **16** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No.14409 of 2017** ## **PETITIONER:** **T.P.AUGUSTINE AGED 59 YEARS, S/O. PATHROSE, THONNAMAKKAL HOUSE, MUKKUDOM P.O., 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 GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **17** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** **WP(C).No.14408 of 2017** ## **PETITIONER:** **SUNIL THOMAS, S/O. THOMAS, CHAMAKKALAYIL HOUSE, MANKUVA, 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. GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES,THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **18** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** **WP(C).No.14407 of 2017** ## **PETITIONER:** **SUNIL THOMAS, S/O. THOMAS, CHAMAKKALAYIL HOUSE, MANKUVA,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 OF 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 GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **19** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No.14406 of 2017** ## **PETITIONER:** **SUNIL THOMAS, S/O. THOMAS, CHAMAKKALAYIL HOUSE, MANKUVA, IDUKKI. BY ADVS. SRI.C.HARIKUMAR SRI.P.S.SIDHARTHAN SRI.RENJITH RAJAPPAN** ## **RESPONDENTS:** |**1**|**STATE OF KERALA**| |---|---| ||**REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,**| ||**TAXES DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT,**| ||**THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001.**| |**2**|**THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER**| ||**EXCISE HEAD QUARTERS,**| ||**NANDAVANAM, VIKASBHAVAN P.O.,**| ||**THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001.**| |**3**|**THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE**| ||**THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685 584.**| ||**GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN**| |**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON**|| |**15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE**|| |**COURT ON**|**THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**| **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **20** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No.14398 of 2017** ## **PETITIONER:** **SUNIL THOMAS, S/O. THOMAS, CHAMAKKALAYIL HOUSE, MANKUVA, 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 GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **21** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No.14397 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 THODUPUZHAIDUKKI 685 584 GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **22** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY ,THE 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018 / 24TH KARTHIKA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No.14393 of 2017** ## **PETITIONER:** **K.D. VIJAYAN, AGED 49 YEARS, S/O.DAMODHARAN, KAKKATTUR HOUSE, ARAKKULAM,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 GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.POOJA SURENDRAN** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.11.2018, ALONG WITH WP(C).14392/2017 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **23** ## **J U D G M E N T** **[WP(C) 14392/2017, WP(C).14393/2017, WP(C).14397/2017, WP(C).14398/2017, WP(C).14406/2017, WP(C).14407/2017, WP(C).14408/2017, WP(C).14409/2017, WP(C).14410/2017, WP(C).14411/2017, WP(C).14416/2017, WP(C).14425/2017, WP(C).14451/2017, WP(C).14452/2017, WP(C).14453/2017, WP(C).14454/2017, WP(C).14455/2017, WP(C).14456/2017, WP(C).14457/2017, WP(C).14509/2017, WP(C).14586/2017 & WP(C).14604/2017]** In all these cases, licensees of various toddy shops functioning in Kerala are the petitioners. In W.P.(C) No.14509/2017, the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Limited is the petitioner. 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 **WP(C).No.14392 of 2017 & Connected cases** **24** orders to the effect that the authorities will permit 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/16.11.2018