This order dismissed a writ petition filed by a stamp vendor challenging the suspension of his license without prior notice. The court held that suspension is an interim measure for public interest and does not require an opportunity of being heard.
Writ petition dismissed at admission stage with no costs.
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THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO
WRIT PETITION NO.16081 OF 2011
ORDER:
This Writ Petition has been instituted by a Stamp Vendor at Jagtial Town of Karimnagar District. He questioned the validity of the proceedings, dated 28.04.2011, issued by the District Registrar of Assurances, Karimnagar, suspending his license bearing No.03/1990 with immediate effect until further orders.
Several contentions have been canvassed by the writ petitioner. Principal amongst them being:
Learned counsel for the writ petitioner, Sri Rajasekhar Thallapally, reiterates the above contentions at the bar.
The impugned order is an order of suspension of the license granted in favour of the petitioner as a Stamp Vendor, for certain grave acts reported against him. His license has not been cancelled as yet. It is still subsisting. By the impugned order, the licence only gets hibernated and he is prevented for the time being from further attending to the work of vending stamps. No more and no less. Prior to a stamp vendor being placed under suspension, which is essentially
an interim measure, no notice or opportunity need be afforded to the petitioner. An order of suspension per se will not visit the individual with any evil or grave consequences. Suspension of license is only a step-in-aid for completing the enquiry contemplated against such an individual. A mere suspension of a license is ordered to sub-serve the larger public interest as it will help the State from preventing any possible illegalities from being perpetrated at the hands of such Stamp Vendors. When it comes to the notice of the licensing authority that any particular Stamp Vendor has indulged in an unauthorised and/or illegal act of vending stamps, such an act promptly calls for remedial measures to save the general public from any further possible mischief. Therefore, no exception can be drawn or taken to the impugned order. I do not see any merit or justification in this Writ Petition.
Hence, the Writ Petition is dismissed at the admission stage. No costs.
_________________________ (NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO, J)
14th June 2011 RRB
1 issue framed by the court
Whether the suspension of a stamp vendor's license without prior notice violates the principles of natural justice.
Stamp Vendor at Jagtial Town
District Registrar of Assurances, Karimnagar
Nooty Ramamohana Rao
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
