V V RAMA RAO Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Sri V.V.N. Narasimham, learned counsel for the opetitioner and Sri D. Krishna Murthy, learned Addl. Standing Counsel for the Central Government on behalf of the Respondents.

(2.) The petitioner is a Proprietor of a Small Scale Industry carrying on business in the name and style of M/s. V. V, Rama Rao and Company. The petitioner applied for and was sanctioned three telephones in the name of the said Proprietary concern of M/s. V.V. Rama Rao and Company. The three telephones so installed bear Nos. 545124 (installed at the residence of the petitioner), 545125 and 547539 installed at the Factory.

(3.) The petitioner is also the Director of three Companies viz., M/s. Leonics Television Private Limited, M/s. Professional Grade Components Limited and Fenovision Limited. The said Companies are incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 and have Telephones bearing Nos. 547206, 547835, 548499, 548525 and 548957. The said Companies have suffered losses and have not been able to pay the Telephone bills to the Telephone Department. The Telephone Department issued a notice to the petitioner on 22-10-1996 intimating that a sum of Rupees 6,59,502/- is due and owing in respect of the aforesaid Telephones standing in the name of the three companies and the petitioner was called upon to pay the said amount by 8-11-1996 failing which it was intimated that the petitioner's telephones bearing Nos. 545124, 545125 and 547339 would be disconnected. Subsequently, the said telephones were disconnected. The above writ petition is filed questioning the aforesaid action of the respondent authorities.