S. CHITRA Vs. THE CHAIRMAN, SATHYAMANGALAM MUNICIPALITY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner took a shop bearing No. 42 at the New Bus -stand of Sathyamangalam Municipality on licence for a period of three years from 24.02.2010. According to the petitioner, the licence was renewed for a further period of three years with effect from 01.07.2013 up to 30.06.2016, on a higher monthly rent. 2. HOWEVER , on 25.06.2014, the Municipality threatened to evict the petitioner. Subsequently, the Municipal Council appears to have passed a resolution bearing No. 92, dated 30.06.2014, cancelling the licences of all the shops and to go in for a fresh tender.

(2.) CHALLENGING the said resolution, most of the shopkeepers came up with independent writ petitions. The petitioner also filed W.P. No.20627 of 2014 challenging the resolution of the Municipality and the consequential auction notice issued on 23.07.2014. There were totally about 91 writ petitions and all the writ petitioners were represented by the same counsel Mr.I.C. Vasudevan.

(3.) THE first batch of writ petitions in W.P. Nos.20816 to 20864 of 2014 and a few others came up for hearing on 06.08.2014 for the first time. At that time, Mr.A.S. Thambusamy, learned counsel took notice for the Municipality. Therefore, I permitted the auction to go on, but directed the respondents not to confirm the auction.