PRAHIBITION AND EXCISE SUPRITENDENT ANDHRA PRADESH Vs. TODDY TAPPERS CO OPERATIVE SOCIETY MARREDPALLY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) (For himself and on behalf of V. N. Khare, C.J.I.). These appeals were filed by the Prohibition and Excise Superintendent of various divisions and districts of Andhra Pradesh against the final judgment dated 10-1-2003 of the High Court of Judicature, Andhra Pradesh in Writ Petition Nos. 19186 and 21096 of 2002 etc. batch wherein the High Court allowed the writ petitions filed by the respondents herein, who are having licences for selling toddy at their respective shops, striking down the amended Rule 24 of the A.P. Excise (Arrack and Toddy Licences General Conditions) Rules, 1969 (hereinafter referred to as 'the A.P. Excise Rules') of its retrospective effect. The High Court held it as prospective in its operation and quashed the suspension of licenses and show-cause notices issued for cancellation with regard to the various toddy shops of the respondents in this batch of appeals.

(2.) The facts leading to these appeals being practically are the same, they are being disposed of by this common judgment by consent of parties.

(3.) The short facts leading to the filing of these appeals are as under :-