VINOD KUMAR SETHI Vs. UNION TERRITORY OF CHANDIGARH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE challenge in this writ petition pertains to Annexure P. 9 dated 30. 5. 1988 creating a demand of Rs. 7,05,556/- (Rupees Seven lacs Five Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty Six only) as composition fee for the construction of 5th Floor. The order impugned in the writ petition reads as under :subject : Resumption of S. C. O. No. 56-57, Sector 17-D, Chandigarh. Memo. In compliance of learned Chief Commissioner's order dated 27. 4. 1988 restoring the site conditionally, you are required to pay Rs. 705556. 00 (Rupees seven lacs five thousand five hundred and fifty six only) as composition fee of the fifth floor before or on 15. 6. 1988 positively failing which your site shall remain resumed. You are further required to obtain occupation certificate by 15. 6. 1988. This may be treated as most immediate".

(2.) LEARNED counsel for the petitioner, in the first instance, submitted that he is not liable to pay the aforementioned amount as he had purchased the site meant for construction of shop-cum-office on 22nd January, 1969. He has further argued that the petitioner was not associated with at the time of determination of the amount in question and that Annexure P-9 has been passed without granting as opportunity of hearing to him.

(3.) IN view of the aforementioned factual position, this Court need not go into minute details of the matter particularly when it has remained undisputed before me that the petitioner was not granted any opportunity of being heard before making calculations which have been done unilaterally in Annexure P-9, This writ petition, in my considered view, deserves to succeed on the short ground that Annexure P-9 has been passed by the respondent-authorities at the back of the petitioner who, if granted an opportunity could have challenged not only the precise amount in question but also the criteria which the administration has in its mind for assessing the composition fee.