ARUN KUMAR MEHTA Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present writ petition has been filed for quashing the order dated 15.12.2012, passed in Misc. case no. 97 of 2003 by the District Magistrate, Begusarai, whereby and whereunder the order dated 08.07.2003, passed by the S.D.O. Manjhaul, cancelling the licence of the P.D.S. shop of the petitioner, has been upheld.

(2.) At the outset, the learned counsel for the respondent- State has raised preliminary objection with regard to the maintainability of the present writ petition on the ground of the same being marred by the principles of delay and laches, inasmuch as the original order of cancellation is of the year 2003 and since then about 17 years have passed by, resulting in a lot of developments having taken place during the interregnum period. In any view of the matter, it is contended that even the appellate order is of the year, 2012 and the petitioner has approached this Court belatedly in the year 2020 i.e. after a lapse of about 07 years, hence no relief should be granted to the petitioner herein.

(3.) The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner has not been able to furnish any plausible explanation with regard to the aforesaid inordinate delay, which has taken place in approaching this Court.