BHIMRAO BAHARANG CHAVARE Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith. Respondents waive service. Heard finally by consent of the parties, as appearing.

(2.) Respondent Nos. 5 to 10 are served, affidavit of service to that effect as directed by this Court by previous order dtd. 18/1/2023, is placed on record. Despite service these Respondents are not represented.

(3.) The order impugned in this Petition is an order dtd. 25/3/2022 passed by the Competent Authority under Sec. 17(1) of the Maharashtra Money-Lending (Regulation) Act, 2014 (for short the "Money Lending Act"). This petition was earlier filed as a Criminal Writ Petition, however, subsequently by an order passed by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court, it was permitted to be converted into a Civil Writ Petition.