JOGENDRA NATH DAS Vs. THE SUB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) As many as 17 petition-writers, by any standard "poor persons" have been partially thrown out of profession by an order of the Sub-Divisional Officer, Nalbari.

(2.) In this writ application the petitioners complain, that they used to write petitions and acted as petition-writers in the office of the Sub-Deputy Collector, Tamulpur Circle, and there was no complaint against them from any quarter. To keep control and supervision over these "writers" the then Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup used to issue licence or permit. The object for granting licence was to allow only a class of persons to do certain types of "professional job which require some expertise. Later the licencing authority was the Sub-Divisional Officer. The petitioners claim that they were granted licence, however, the Sub-Divisional Officer, Nalbari not withstanding the prayers of the petitioners refused to grant them fresh licence or renew their licences which they had and ultimately by an order dated 19.9.81 the then S.D.C, Tamulpur Circle permitted only two petition writers to write petition of the litigant public who had business in the Court of the Sub-Deputy Collector and no one else. Thus the Officer debarred the petitioners to continue with this professional work without any cause and without any authority of law, submit the petitioners.

(3.) The impugned order reads as follows;