Disposed

Quippo Telecom Infrastructure Limited v. the State of Maharashtra and Anr.

Bombay HC24 Sept 2013CA/2096/2010

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Challenging rules for mobile tower erection, the Court found the challenge infructuous due to new 2013 guidelines and a prior judgment. The Court ordered petitioners to submit representations for refund of excess deposits within two weeks, directing Municipal Authorities to decide within four weeks.

What did the court decide?

Petitioners directed to submit representations for refund of excess amounts within two weeks; Municipal Authorities directed to decide and refund within specified timelines.

Quippo Telecom Infrastructure Limited… — Constitutional and Fundamental Rights | Bombay HC (2013)

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(1)

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY, AURANGABAD BENCH, AT AURANGABAD.

¶3

(1) Writ Petition No. 536 of 2006 With

¶4

Civil Application No. 2588 of 2007 and Civil Application No. 7260 of 2007 (In Writ Petition No. 536 of 2006)

¶5

Idea Cellular Limited, a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956, and having its Registered Office at Suman Tower, Plot No.18, Sector 11, Gandhinagar - 382 011, Gujarat, and having its Corporate Office at 11/1, Sharda Centre, Erandvana, Pune, and Circle Office at the Metropole, S1, S2 & S3, Second Floor, D-1 CTS No.11, Civil Lines, Bund Garden Road, Adjacent to Inox Multiplex, .. Petitioner / Pune 411 001. Applicant.

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versus

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The State of Maharashtra, through the Secretary, Urban Development Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai - 400 020.

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The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation, through its Commissioner. .. Respondents.

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(2)

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Mr. V.J. Dixit, Senior Advocate, with Mr. J.R. Shah, Advocate, for the petitioner / Applicant.

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Mr. S.K. Tambe, Assistant Government Pleader, for respondent no.1.

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Mr. D.V. Soman, Advocate, for respondent no.2.

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With

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(2) Writ Petition No. 1103 of 2009 With

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Civil Application No. 9665 of 2010 (In Writ Petition No. 1103 of 2009)

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¶17

.. Petitioner / Applicant.

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versus

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The State of Maharashtra, through the Secretary, Urban Development Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai.

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The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation, through its Commissioner.

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.. Respondents.

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(3)

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Mr. V.J. Dixit, Senior Advocate, with Mr. J.R. Shah, Advocate, for the petitioner / Applicant.

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Mr. K.G. Patil, Assistant Government Pleader, for respondent no.1.

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Mrs. Manjusha A. Deshpande, Advocate, for respondent no.2.

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With

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Civil Application No. 12892 of 2010 (In Writ Petition No. 1103 of 2009)

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Shirish s/o. Shantikumar Khandare & 10 others.

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.. Applicants.

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versus

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Idea Cellular Limited & 2 others.

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.. Non-applicants.

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Mrs. Madhubala Gangwal, Advocate, for the applicants.

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Mr. J.R. Shah, Advocate, for non-applicant no.1.

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Mr. K.G. Patil, Assistant Government Pleader, for non-applicant no.2.

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Mrs. Manjusha A. Deshpande, Advocate, for non-applicant no.3.

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(4)

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With

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(3) Writ Petition No. 6671 of 2009 With

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Civil Application No. 2096 of 2010 and Civil Application No. 82 of 2013 (In Writ Petition No. 6671 of 2009)

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Quippo telecom Infrastructure Limited, a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956, and having its Registered Office at D-2, 5th Floor, Southern Park, Saket Place, Saket, New Delhi - 110 017, and having its circle office at Office No.102, 1st Floor, MPJ Chambers, Plot No. B-1, Mumbai-Pune Road, Wakdewadi, Pune, Taluka & District : Pune.

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.. Petitioner / Applicant.

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versus

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The State of Maharashtra, through the Secretary, Urban Development Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai.

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The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation, through its Commissioner.

¶46

.. Respondents.

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Mr. P.S. Chavan, Advocate, for the petitioner / Applicant.

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Mr. S.K. Tambe, Assistant Government Pleader, for respondent no.1.

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Mr. A.M. Karad, Advocate, for respondent no.2.

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(5)

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With

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(4) Writ Petition No. 841 of 2010 With

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Civil Application No. 80 of 2013 (In Writ Petition No. 841 of 2010)

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Wireless-TT Info Services Limited, a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956, and having its Registered Office at 5th Floor, KLK Estate, Fateh Maidan Road, Hyderabad, State of Andhra Pradesh and having its circle office at Office no.102, 1st Floor, MPJ Chambers, Plot No. B-1, Mumbai-Pune Road, Wakdewadi, Pune, Taluka & District : Pune.

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.. Petitioner / Applicant.

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versus

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The State of Maharashtra, through the Secretary, Urban Development Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai.

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The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation, through its Commissioner. .. Respondents.

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Mr. P.S. Chavan, Advocate, for the petitioner / Applicant.

¶60

(6)

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Mr. K.G. Patil, Assistant Government Pleader, for respondent no.1.

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Mr. A.M. Karad, Advocate, for respondent no.2.

¶63

With

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(5) Writ Petition No. 4489 of 2010

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Tower Vision India Private Limited, Through its Authorized Officer, Shri Dnyanesh R. Walimbe, Age : 32 years, Occupation : Manager Legal, Regd. Office 1st Floor, C-Wing, Safire Park, Galleria, Wakadewadi, Shivajinagar, Pune.

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.. Petitioner.

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versus

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The State of Maharashtra, through the Secretary, Urban Development Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai.

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The Nanded Waghala Municipal Corporation, through its Municipal Commissioner at Nanded.

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.. Respondents.

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(7)

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Mr. V.J. Dixit, Senior Advocate, with Mr. J.R. Shah, Advocate, for the petitioner.

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Mr. S.K. Tambe, Assistant Government Pleader, for respondent no.1.

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Mr. S.V. Kurundkar, Advocate, for respondent no.2.

¶75

With

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(6) Writ Petition No. 5978 of 2010

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Idea Cellular Limited, a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956, and has its Registered Office at Suman Baug, Plot No. 18, Sector 11, Gandhinagar - 382 011 (Gujarat) and having its Circle office at 11/1, Sharda Centre, Erandvane, Pune - 411 004.

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.. Petitioner.

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versus

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The Jalgaon City Municipal Corporation, Jalgaon.

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The Municipal Commissioner, Jalgaon City Municipal Corporation, Jalgaon.

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The Assistant Town Planner, Jalgaon City Municipal Corporation, Jalgaon.

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(8)

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The State of Maharashtra, Through the Secretary, Urban Development Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai - 400 032. .. Respondents.

¶85

Mr. V.J. Dixit, Senior Advocate, with Mr. J.R. Shah, Advocate, for the petitioner.

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Mr. M.S. Deshmukh, Advocate, for respondent nos.1 to 3. Mr. K.G. Patil, Assistant Government Pleader, for respondent no.4.

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With

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(7) Writ Petition No. 6287 of 2010

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Tower Vision India Private Limited, Through its Authorized Officer, Shri Monish S. Nilwant, Age : 26 years, Occupation : : Assistant Manager (Legal), Regd. Office 1st Floor, C-Wing, Safire Park, Galleria, Wakadewadi, Shivajinagar, Pune. .. Petitioner.

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versus

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The State of Maharashtra, through the Secretary, Urban Development Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai.

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The Municipal Corporation of City of Jalgaon, through its Municipal Commissioner at Jalgaon. .. Respondents.

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(9)

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Mr. V.J. Dixit, Senior Advocate, with Mr. J.R. Shah, Advocate, for the petitioner.

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Mr. S.K. Tambe, Assistant Government Pleader, for respondent no.1.

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Mr. V.D. Gunale, Advocate, for respondent no.2.

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With

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(8) Writ Petition No. 6448 of 2010 With

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Civil Application No. 9843 of 2010 (In Writ Petition No. 6448 of 2010)

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Idea Cellular Limited, a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956, and has its Registered Office at Suman Baug, Plot No.18, Sector 11, Gandhinagar - 382 011 (Gujarat), and having its Circle office at 11/1, Sharda Centre, Erandvane, Pune - 411 004.

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.. Petitioner / Applicant.

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versus

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Municipal Corporation, Aurangabad, through its Commissioner.

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(10)

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Administrative Officer, Municipal Corporation, Aurangabad.

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The State of Maharashtra, Through the Secretary, Urban Development Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai - 400 032. .. Respondents.

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Mr. V.J. Dixit, Senior Advocate, with Mr. J.R. Shah, Advocate, for the petitioner / Applicant.

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Mr. A.M. Karad, Advocate, for respondent no.1 and 2.

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Mr. K.G. Patil, Assistant Government Pleader, for respondent no.3.

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With

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(9) Writ Petition No. 6497 of 2010

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Reliance Communications Limited, and Reliance Infratel Ltd. companies incorporated, under the Companies Act, 1956, and having its Registered Office at H. Block, Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City, Kopar Khairane, Navi Mumbai - 400 710, and having its office at 4th Floor, Aurangabad Business Centre, Adalat Road, Aurangabad 431 001, through its Authorised Signatory, Shri Mukund Page.

.. Petitioner.

versus

(11)

The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation, through its Commissioner, having his office at Town Hall, Aurangabad - 431 001.

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Administrative Officer, Aurangabad Municipal Corporation, having his office at Town Hall, Aurangabad - 431 001.

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The State of Maharashtra, through Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai. .. Respondents.

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Mr. S.G. Karlekar, Advocate, for the petitioner.

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Mr. A.M. Karad, Advocate, for respondent nos.1 and 2.

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Mr. S.K. Tambe, Assistant Government Pleader, for respondent no.3.

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With

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(10) Writ Petition No. 6498 of 2010

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Idea Cellular Limited, a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956, and has its Registered Office at Suman Baug, Plot No.18, Sector 11, Gandhinagar - 382 011 (Gujarat), and having its Circle office at 11/1, Sharda Centre, Erandvane, Pune - 411 004.

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(12)

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Girish s/o. Maroti Pawar, Age : 43 years, Occupation : Service, Presently working as Deputy General Manager (Legal), Idea Cellular Limited, R/o. 11/1, Sharada Center, Erandwane, Pune - 411 004. .. Petitioners. versus 1. Municipal Corporation, Aurangabad, through its Commissioner. 2. Administrative Officer, Municipal Corporation, Aurangabad. 3. The State of Maharashtra, Through the Secretary, Urban Development Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai - 400 032. .. Respondents. .........................

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Mr. V.J. Dixit, Senior Advocate, with Mr. J.R. Shah, Advocate, for the petitioner / Applicant. Mr. A.M. Karad, Advocate, for respondent no.1 and 2. Mr. K.G. Patil, Assistant Government Pleader, for respondent no.3.

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With

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(13)

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Civil Application No. 11384 of 2010 (In Writ Petition No. 6498 of 2010)

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Shri Mahendra s/o. Bapuji Khairnar & 2 others.

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.. Applicants.

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versus

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Idea Cellular Ltd. & 3 others. .. Non-applicants.

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Mr. B.R. Jaybhay, Advocate, for the applicants.

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Mr. V.J. Dixit, Senior Advocate, with Mr. J.R. Shah, Advocate, for non-applicant no.1.

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Mr. A.M. Karad, Advocate, for non-applicant nos.2 and 3.

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Mr. K.G. Patil, Assistant Government Pleader, for non-applicant no.4.

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With

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(11) Writ Petition No. 6533 of 2010 With

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Civil Application No. 85 of 2013 (In Writ Petition No. 6533 of 2010)

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Wireless-TT Info Services Limited, A Company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956, and having its Registered office at 1-8-368 to 372 Gowra Trinity, 5th Floor, Chiran Fort Land, Begumpet, Hyderabad, Having its Circle Office At No. 509 to 515,

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(14)

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5th Floor, City Point Building, Dhole Patil Road, Boat Club Road, Pune - 411 001.

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.. Petitioner / Applicant.

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versus

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Municipal Corporation, Aurangabad, through its Commissioner.

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Administrative Officer, Municipal Corporation, Aurangabad.

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The State of Maharashtra, Through the Secretary, Urban Development Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai - 400 032. .. Respondents.

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Mr. P.S. Chavan, Advocate, for the petitioner / Applicant. Mr. A.M. Karad, Advocate, for respondent nos.1 and 2.

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Mr. S.K. Tambe, Assistant Government Pleader, for respondent no.3.

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With

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(12) Writ Petition No. 6794 of 2010 With

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Civil Application No. 86 of 2013 (In Writ Petition No. 6794 of 2010)

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(15)

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Twenty First Century Infra Tele Limited, A Company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956, and having its Registered office at 1-8-368 to 372, Gowra trinity, 5th Floor, Chiran Fort Land, Begumpet, Hyderabad, having its Circle Office at No. 509 to 515, 5th Floor, City Point Building, Dhole Patil Road, Boat Club Road, Pune - 411 001.

¶157

.. Petitioner / Applicant.

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versus

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The Nanded-Waghala Municipal Corporation, Nanded, Through its Commissioner.

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The State of Maharashtra, Through the Secretary, Urban Development Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai - 400 032.

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.. Respondents.

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Mr. P.S. Chavan, Advocate, for the petitioner / Applicant.

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Mr. M.V. Deshpande, Advocate, for respondent no.1.

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Mr. K.G. Patil, Assistant Government Pleader, for respondent no.2.

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With

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(13) Writ Petition No. 6810 of 2010

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Idea Cellular Limited, a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956, and has its

¶168

(16)

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Registered Office at Suman Baug, Plot No.18, Sector 11, Gandhinagar - 382 011 (Gujarat), and having its Circle office at 11/1, Sharda Centre, Erandvane, Pune - 411 004. .. Petitioner.

¶170

versus

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Nanded Waghala Municipal Corporation, Nanded, through its Commissioner.

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The State of Maharashtra, Through the Secretary, Urban Development Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai - 400 032. .. Respondents. ...........................

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Mr. V.J. Dixit, Senior Advocate, with Mr. J.R. Shah, Advocate, for the petitioiner. Mr. M.V. Deshpande, Advocate, for respondent no.1. Mr. S.K. Tambe, Assistant Government Pleader, for respondent no.2.

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CORAM : B.P. DHARMADHIKARI & RAVINDRA V. GHUGE, JJ.

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DATE : 24TH SEPTEMBER 2013

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COURT'S ORDER (Per B.P. Dharmadhikari, J.) :

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Heard learned respective Counsel for the parties.

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(17)

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Challenge in all these petitions is to Rules framed on 23rd January 2009, in the shape of Minutes of Meeting dated 22nd January 2009, to regulate erection of towers to provide mobile services.

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Learned Sr. Adv. Mr. Dixit submits that in so far as State of Maharashtra is concerned, a proposal to involve uniform policy was already under consideration and in the light of that proposal, several Writ Petitions raising challenges to demands made were earlier disposed of by this Court. Thus, judgment dated 21st December 2012, delivered in Writ Petition No. 825 of 2009 and connected petitions still holds the field. It is further submitted that in any case, on 1st August 2013, in consultation with various State Government Officials, Department of Telecommunication has issued advisory guidelines for State Governments, regulating issuance of clearance for installation of mobile towers. He submits that, thus, till date, Rules impugned in these petitions, have not been acted upon and implemented.

¶181

Learned respective Counsel appearing for the respondents have opposed the petitions. However, they do not dispute the facts noted by us above.

¶182

In view of these developments, it is apparent that the Rules impugned in the present petitions have not been so far acted upon or used to the prejudice of any of the petitioners. In any case, the petitioners are protected by the the judgment delivered by this Court in Writ Petition No. 825 of 2009 and connected petitions. The Central Government itself,

¶183

(18)

¶184

through its Department of Telecommunication, has circulated new guidelines effective from 1st August 2013.

¶185

We, therefore, find that the grievance sought to be redressed no longer survives. By passage of time and in view of subsequent developments, the challenge is rendered infructuous.

¶186

In all these matters, the petitioners seek refund of amount deposited by them, either with the Registry of this Court or then, Municipal Corporations. According to the petitioners, the Corporation is entitled to claim only Rs. 30,000/- per tower and amount in excess thereof must be returned to them.

¶187

Respective Counsel appearing for the Corporation are opposing any such order at this stage. According to them, dues payable to Corporation need to be worked out and after adjusting the same, balance amount can be refunded. They submit that if appropriate representation is made by the petitioners in this respect, same shall be decided forthwith and amount refundable shall then be immediately refunded.

¶188

We have perused the judgment dated 21st December 2012, delivered in Writ Petition No. 825 of 2009 and other connected petitions. In paragraph 38(3) of the said judgment, the Court has asked respective Municipal Corporations / Municipal Councils to refund the amount after deducting the amount as permissible in accordance with draft proposal [policy] dated 26th July 2011, as expeditiously as possible, and preferably within six months from the date on which that judgment was pronounced.

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(19)

¶190

That period of six months has already expired. These directions to refund the amount were issued in those Writ Petitions and the amounts have been deposited in Writ Petitions today before us.

¶191

In the light of directions contained in judgment dated 21st December 2012, we find that interest of justice can be met with by directing the petitioners to submit appropriate representations seeking refund, giving necessary details, within a period of two weeks from today. If such representations are received by the respective Municipal Commissioners of the respondents / Municipal Corporations, they shall take necessary decision upon it, within further period of four weeks. The amount found refundable shall be returned to the respective claimants within further period of four weeks.

¶192

Acceptance of that refund shall not preclude the petitioners from challenging correctness of the exercise undertaken. If the amount is deposited with the Registry of this Court, the amount found refundable can be withdrawn from the office of this Court by the respective claimants.

¶193

With the above directions, and with liberty to the petitioners, to renew their grievance if the impugned Rules are sought to be used against them in future, we dispose of present Writ Petitions. Rule in Writ Petition No. 536 of 2006 is discharged. No costs.

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(20)

¶195

In view of disposal of the Writ Petitions, Civil Applications do not survive and the same are disposed of.

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( RAVINDRA V. GHUGE ) ( B.P. DHARMADHIKARI ) JUDGE JUDGE

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bgp/wp536etc

Quippo Telecom Infrastructure Limited v. the State of Maharashtra and Anr.

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Quippo Telecom Infrastructure Limited v. the State of Maharashtra and Anr.

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

A compact analysis

Issues for consideration

Cases cited

Parties & counsel

Coram

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