IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC WEDNESDAY, THE 24TH OCTOBER 2007 / 2ND KARTHIKA 1929 WP(C).No. 28643 of 2007(I) ---------------------------------- PETITIONER: --------------- I.DENNISON, S/O.LATE ISRAEL, AGED 54 YEARS, DAM SITE HOUSE, NEYYARDAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY ADV. SRI. K.B. PRADEEP RESPONDENTS: ------------------ 1. THE STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT OF KERALA, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS & WILD LIFE, GOVERNMENT OF KERALA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 3. THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (WILD LIFE), GOVT. OF KERALA, FOREST OFFICE, VAZHUTHACAUD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 4. THE WILD LIFE WARDEN (SANCTUARY), DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS, OFFICE OF THE WILD LIFE WARDEN, WILD LIFE DIVISION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI. RENJITH THAMPAN. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 24/10/2007 ALONG WITH W.P.C. NOs. 28655 & 29488 OF 2007, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ANTONY DOMINIC, J. ------------------------- WP(C) Nos. 28643, 28655 & 29488 of 2007 --------------------------------- Dated, this the 24th day of October, 2007 J U D G M E N T In these writ petitions the challenge is against the cancellation of contract awarded to the petitioner. Though several grounds are urged, at this stage, I need consider only the contention that before cancellation of the contract, the petitioner was not even issued a notice to show cause or given an opportunity to explain his position. This contention is not disputed in their counter affidavit also. In view of the violation of the principles of natural justice, Exts.P3 & P4 in WP(C) No. 28655/07, Ext.P2 in WP(C) No. 28643/07 and Exts.P2 & P3 in WP(C) No. 29488/07 will stand quashed. However, it will be open to the respondents to issue notice to the petitioner and give an opportunity to show cause against any action they propose to take and pass appropriate orders thereafter. These writ petitions are disposed of as above. (ANTONY DOMINIC, JUDGE) jg