IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED:12.09.2017 CORAM THE HON'BLE Mr. JUSTICE M.DURAISWAMY W.P.No.24438 of 2017 and W.M.P.No.25825 of 2017 Amit Kumar ... Petitioner v.
1. The Commissioner, Chennai City Municipal Corporation, Rippon Building, Chennai – 600 003.
2. The Zonal Officer-V, Revenue Department (Trade License), Chennai City Municipal Corporation, Basin Bridge, Chennai – 600 001.
3. Shaik Abdul Khadar ... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the 2nd respondents to remove the seal on the premises at Prisha Metals and Alloys, No.58, Mannady Street, I Floor, Chennai - 600 001.
For Petitioner : Ms.D.Geetha For Respondents : Mr.T.C.Gopalakrishnan, Standing Counsel - for R1 & R2 O R D E R Mr. T.C.Gopalakrishnan, learned Standing Counsel takes notice for the respondents 1 and 2. By consent, the main writ petition itself is taken up for disposal at the admission stage itself.
2. The petitioner has filed the above writ petition to issue a Writ of mandamus directing the 2nd respondent to remove the seal on the premises at Prisha Metals and Alloys, No.58, Mannady Street, I Floor, Chennai - 600 001.
3. It is the case of the petitioner that it is a Proprietorship Concern involved in the trade of selling Metals and Alloys. According to the petitioner, the Concern does not manufacture any goods in the said premises or anywhere else. The said premises is a rented premises, belonging to the 3rd respondent. The Concern is registered under the TNGST and GST Act. The 2nd respondent, by notice dated 06.07.2017, called upon the petitioner to obtain license under Section 287 of the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act stating that there is a Hardware Shop being run in the said premises. The petitioner approached the 2nd respondent to provide license, but the same was not entertained by the 2nd respondent for the reason that the 3rd respondent had not paid the property tax for several years. The 2nd respondent issued notice dated 17.08.2017 informing that the petitioner is using the premises without license and that he should stop the trade within 24 hours. Even before the petitioner could respond, the 2nd respondent sealed the shop viz., M/s.Prisha Metal and Alloys. That apart, the learned counsel for the petitioner also submitted that when the petitioner approached the 2nd respondent for obtaining license, he was prevented from submitting his application.
4. Admittedly, the petitioner was not issued with any notice with regard to the arrears of property tax so far.
5. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that if demand is made by the respondents 1 & 2 for the proportionate property tax, the petitioner is willing to pay the same, if the same is in accordance with law.
6. It is the case of the respondents that the petitioner's premises was locked and sealed for the reason that he has not obtained license from the respondents 1 & 2 in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
7. When the petitioner had approached the respondents for obtaining license, he was prevented from submitting his application for the reason that the 3rd respondent had arrears of property tax payable to the respondents 1 & 2. Since the learned counsel for the petitioner fairly submitted that in the event of the respondents 1 & 2 demanding property tax in accordance with law from the petitioner, the petitioner is willing to pay the proportionate property tax in respect of the premises in his occupation, I am of the view that the 2nd respondent should be directed to remove the lock and seal affixed in the premises viz., m/S. Prisha Metals and Alloys, No.58, Mannady Street, I Floor, Chennai - 600 001
8. Accordingly, I direct the 2nd respondent to remove the lock and seal in the premises at Prisha Metals and Alloys, No.58, Mannady Street, I Floor, Chennai - 600 001 within two days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is also open to the respondents 1 & 2 to issue demand for the proportionate property tax in respect of the premises, which is in occupation of the petitioner in accordance with law and it is also open to the petitioner to pay the demand made by the respondents 1 & 2 if the same is in accordance with law. The petitioner shall submit his application for license within three days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and the 2nd respondent is directed to process the same and pass orders in accordance with law, within a period of one week from the date of submission of the application.
With these observations, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
11.09.2017 Index : Yes/No Rj To
1. The Commissioner, Chennai City Municipal Corporation, Rippon Building, Chennai – 600 003.
2. The Zonal Officer-V, Revenue Department (Trade License), Chennai City Municipal Corporation, Basin Bridge, Chennai – 600 001.
M.DURAISWAMY,J Rj W.P.No.24438 of 2017 and W.M.P.No.25825 of 2017 12.09.2017