IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC THURSDAY, THE 14TH JANUARY 2010 / 24TH POUSHA 1931 WP(C).No. 716 of 2010(L) ------------------------ PETITIONER(S): --------------- M.P.SASIDHARAN, PROPRIETOR, M/S.OVERT ADVERTISERS, T.C.NO.24/2073, KARTHIKA, PANAVILA JUNCTION, THYCAUD.P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY ADV. SRI.B.KRISHNA MANI RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. THE SECRETARY, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM CORPORATION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. MAYOR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM CORPORATION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. MR.P.K.MANOJ KUMAR, SC FOR CORPORATION THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 14/01/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ANTONY DOMINIC, J. ------------------------- W.P.(C.) No.716 of 2010 (L) --------------------------------- Dated, this the 14th day of January, 2010 J U D G M E N T The petitioner installed an advertisement hoarding, the permit period of which was for the period from 01/08/2008 to 31/08/2009. He sought its renewal and that was rejected by Ext.P10. Against that order he has filed Ext.P11 appeal before the Council of the Corporation, along with Ext.P12, seeking stay of further action for demolition of the advertisement hoarding. It is in the meanwhile, the writ petition is filed apprehending coercive action against him, despite the pendency of the appeal. 2. I heard the learned standing counsel appearing for the respondents, who confirmed the pendency of the appeal. But however submits that having regard to the expiry of the licence, they are entitled to proceed with the matter. He also says that the hoarding has been erected in a prohibited area. 3. Irrespective of the controversy between the parties, which are to be now decided by the appellate authority, in view of WP(C) No.716/2010 -2- the pendency of Ext.P11 appeal before the Council of the Corporation, I am inclined to think that the appeal has to be decided on an expeditious basis. Therefore, this writ petition is disposed of with the following directions: That the Council of the Corporation shall dispose of Ext.P11 appeal with notice to the petitioner as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within four weeks from today. It is directed that in the meanwhile, status quo as on date, in so far as the hoarding in question is concerned, shall be maintained. This writ petition is disposed of as above. (ANTONY DOMINIC, JUDGE) jg