T.LAJAPATHI ROY Vs. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The writ petitioner is a practicing lawyer. He is also a writer. His latest Book is about the Nadar community. It is titled "History of Nadars - Black or Saffron ?" On 18.02.2019, he approached the second respondent World Tamil Sangam, Madurai for permission to use their conference hall for hosting the book release function on 08.03.2019.

(2.) The Manager, World Tamil Sangam informed the petitioner's representative that their conference hall was available on the said date. Thereupon, on instructions, the petitioner's representative handed over a sum of Rs.25,000/- vide cheque no.358365 dated 18.02.2019 towards hall rent and a further sum of Rs.15,000/- vide cheque no.358366 dated 19.02.2019 towards air conditioning charges. The cheques were drawn on Canara Bank, Tallakulam Branch in favour of the Director, World Tamil Sangam. Thereafter, the Manager entered the petitioner's name in the hall booking register. The petitioner went ahead with making other arrangements such as printing the invitation card for the function, booking flight tickets for the special guests etc., While so, he was orally informed on 05.03.2019 that permission for conducting the book release function stood denied. This led to the filing of WP(MD)No.5392 of 2019 seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus for direction to the World Tamil Sangam to provide the hall to the writ petitioner for the aforesaid purpose.

(3.) When the matter was taken up for hearing on 06.03.2019, the Government counsel informed the court that rejection order had already been passed by the second respondent. Hence, WP(MD)No. 5477 of 2019 came to be filed assailing the validity of the rejection order bearing Na.Ka.No.81 of 2019 dated 06.03.2019 issued by the second respondent in WP(MD)No.5392 of 2019. Since both the writ petitions pertain to the same subject matter, they are disposed of by a common order.