RELIANCE RETAIL LIMITED Vs. JORHAT MUNICIPAL BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. G. N. Sahewalla, learned Senior counsel, appearing for the petitioners. Also heard Mr. Y. Doloi, learned standing counsel, Jorhat Municipal Board, appearing for the respondents No. 1 and 2 and Mrs. M. Goswami and Mr. S. K. Hazarika, learned State counsel, appearing for the respondents No.3, 4 and 5.

(2.) As agreed to by the learned counsel appearing for the parties, this writ petition is taken up for disposal at the admission stage.

(3.) The writ petition was filed praying for a writ of mandamus to the respondent Jorhat Municipal Board (for short, "the Board") to grant trade licence in favour of the petitioner No.1 to operate its Retail Outlet for sale of footwear (Reliance Footprint) and electrical and electronic goods (Reliance Digital) from the tenanted premises of the respondent No.2 situated at Dag No.4772/5256, 4773/5257 of Annual Patta No.252/418 of Block No.2, Jorhat Town and Dag No.4807/5059 of Periodic Patta No.294 of Block No.2 of Jorhat Town as well as direction to the respondent Board not to insist upon trade licence for operating the Retail Outlet for sale of footwear (Reliance Footprint) and the electrical and electronic goods (Reliance Digital). Prayer is also made for a writ of certiorari to set aside and quash an order dated 18.06.2016, whereby the Chairperson of the Board informed the petitioner No.1, amongst others, that licence for Reliance Footprint could not be renewed immediately as there is a dispute of the land where the building is standing.