GLOBE THEATRES LTD. AND ORS. Vs. STATE OF MADRAS REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT AND ORS.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THESE three appeals involve a common question of law and arise out of applications under Article 226 of the Constitution for the issue of writs of certiorari or for appropriate writs to quash the orders made by the Government under Section 13 of the Madras Buildings (Lease and Rent Control) Act, 1949, exempting certain buildings from the provisions of the said Act on the ground that the said section is inconsistent with Article 14 and therefore void under Article 13 of the Constitution.

(2.) SECTION 13 of the Madras Buildings (Lease and Rent Control) Act, which will hereinafter be referred to as the Act, runs thus:

(3.) I still adhere to the opinion which I expressed so far as Article 19 is concerned. This point was considered at some length by Subba Rao J. in - - Dr. K. C. Nambiar v. : AIR1953Mad351 (B) and he held that Section 13 of the Act does not infringe Article 19(1)(f) of the Constitution. He said at p. 355 :