RAMA PICTURE PALACE Vs. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Writ Petition is filed by the petitioners seeking writ of mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in not permitting the petitioners to run their theatres as per the rates mentioned in their applications submitted to the licensing authority, as illegal and arbitrary and consequently, to direct the licensing authority to permit the petitioners to run their theatres as per the rates specified by them in their applications submitted to the licensing authority.

(2.) Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home appearing for the respondents.

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that as per the common order passed by this Court in W.P.No.18779 of 2014 and batch, dtd. 31/10/2016, this Court while directing the Government to constitute a committee headed by the respective Principal Secretaries for Home to take a decision regarding the controversy involved in the said Writ Petitions, directed that the petitioners therein be permitted to run their respective theatres as per the rates specified by them till the Committee takes a decision on the issue. They further contended that as per the order passed by this Court in the above batch of Writ Petitions, this Court has been permitting the owners of the cinema theatres to run their theatres as per the rates specified by them in their applications submitted to the licensing authority. Therefore, they would submit that the petitioners herein are also entitled to the similar relief till the Committee that was constituted takes a decision on the issue.