SUBRAMANIAN M. C. Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Common order passed by the District Collector, Thrissur under S.28 of the Guruvayoor Devaswom Act, 1978, (hereinafter referred to as 'Act) enabling the respondent Devaswom to take possession of their properties / shop rooms which were being occupied by the petitioner licensees, on termination of the license, is the subject matter of challenge in all these writ petitions. In the three writ petitions, except W. P. (C) 29293 of 2016, constitutional validity of S.28 of the above Act is also under challenge.

(2.) The arguments were led by Shri. N. N. Sugunapalan, the learned Sr. Counsel for the petitioners in W. P. (C) No. 27257 of 2016, who was supported by the learned counsel for the petitioners in other cases.

(3.) The version of the Devaswom was advanced by Shri. Gopal, the learned Standing Counsel for the Devaswom. We heard Shri. T. K. Ananthakrishnan, the learned Government Pleader as well, who appeared for the State / Departmental authorities. Since nature of the grievance and contentions taken are almost similar, W. P. (C) No. 27257 of 2016 is taken as the lead case and reference is made to parties and proceedings as given therein, except where it is separately referred to.