STATE OF TAMIL NADU Vs. K RAMANATHAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Impleadment allowed.

(2.) Leave granted.

(3.) This appeal by state of Tamil Nadu is directed against the impugned judgment dated 25th of September, 2002 of the High Court of Madras. On the change of licensing system of retail vending of Indian made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) , writ petitions were filed in the High Court of Madras, 1500 in all by the existing licence -holders, assailing the legality of the change of the policy and bringing out the system of grant of exclusive privilege by a fresh lot. The High Court of Madras came to the conclusion that the revised excise policy is unreasonable and arbitrary and has no nexus with the object of augmentation of the excise revenue. The High Court finally disposed of the writ petitions with certain directions and at present, we are concerned with the direction contained in clause (iii) to the effect