KRUSHNA CHANDRA ROUTRAY Vs. STATE OF ORISSA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner calls in question the validity and legality of the order dated 10-7-2007 passed by the additional District Magistrate (Revenue), cuttack, (for short the 'adm'), refusing to renew the Stamp Vendor Licence of the petitioner on the ground of pendency of criminal case against him.

(2.) THE brief facts of the case is that the petitioner is a Stamp Vendor and he had been granted licence since April, 1985 for sale of stamps and stamp papers, both judicial and non-judicial in the premises of orissa High Court, Cuttack. Subsequently with the coming into force of the Orissa Sup-ply and Sale of Stamps and Stamped Papers rules, 1990 (for short the "rules"), his licence No. 09/1997 (Renewal No. 11 of 2002)was renewed up to 31-12-2006. On the strength of the said licence, the petitioner was authorized to procure and sell stamps and stamped papers, both judicial and non-judicial and whether impressed or adhesive, to be sold in the premises of the Orissa High court at Cuttack. During the validity of the petitioner's licence as a Stamp Vendor, an f. I. R. was lodged against the petitioner vide lalbag P. S. Case No. 133 of 2006, corresponding to G. R. Case No. 1082 of 2006, on the allegation of selling forged Advocate's welfare Stamp. Though no licence is required, as per the Rules, for the purpose of selling Advocate's Welfare Stamp, which is sold only by the Orissa State Bar Council and which can be procured by any person and there is no restriction for sale of such stamps, the petitioner was arrested in connection with Lalbag P. S. Case No. 133 of 2006 and was subsequently released on bail.

(3.) SUBSEQUENTLY as the petitioner's stamp Vendor Licence, to operate in the premises of Orissa High Court, Cuttack was due to expire on 31-12-2006. he submitted application on 19-12-2006, for renewal of his stamp Vendor Licence along with requisite fees for renewing the same from 1-1-2007 till 31-12-2011, i. e. , for a period of five years, as per the provisions of the Rules.