RAMPRAKASH Vs. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) One common order, passed on 7-7-1990 is the root-cause of the grievance which 32 petitioners have made, separately and/or jointly, in seven petitions heard analogously, being disposed of by this common order. District Magistrate, Bhind, has cancelled by that order, cumulatively, the gun licences issued by Shri R.S. Yadav, Deputy Collector, Bhind; the list appended to the order contained necessary particulars of all those licences.

(2.) True, some of the petitioners preferred unsuccessfully appeals, while others have approached us directly on the Writ Side, challenging the aforesaid order. In this connection, it may be mentioned that earlier also the same order was challenged in M.P. No. 1917 of 1990 and in the order passed on 29-8-1990 in that matter, this Court expressed the view that even if the impugned order affected 180 persons, that would not vest jurisdiction in this Court to entertain the petition as a Public Interest Litigation. Each of the licensee had the right to challenge in appeal the cancellation order and jurisdiction of the appellate authority could not be usurped by this Court.

(3.) It may be noted in this connection that only in M.P. No. 349 of 1991, the licence stands renewed up to 31-12-1991; in all other cases, applications for renewal were filed. However, by the impugned order aforesaid, those stand disposed of. Indeed, the Collector's order is that the licences issued being void the applications for renewal were also illegal and void.