IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) TUESDAY, THE THIRTIETH DAY OF JUNE TWO THOUSAND AND NINE PRESENT THE HON'BLE MS JUSTICE G.ROHINI WRIT PETITION NO : 12865 of 2009 Between: 1 Kanchi Kamakshi Silks, 4-4-6/1, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad - 195, Rep. by T. Sudarshan. 2 N. Balakistaiah, 5-1-762 & 5-1-762/2, Bank Street, Hyderabad, Rep. by N. Vinod Kumar. 3 Upper Assam Tea Co., 4-2-301, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, REp. by Prabhu Bhati. 4 Balaji Shivnayan Sweet Home, 4-4-92, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by S. Jagdish Prasad. 5 Balaji Lock Repair, No. 4-4-612, Near Dilshad Plaza, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by N. Satyanarayana. 6 Mahalaxmi Saree House, 4-2-290/A, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by R. Shoba Rani. 7 Sree Jawahar Fancy Cloth Storesh, No. 4-2-268/269, Sultan Bazar, Opp: Dilshad Plaza, Hyderabad, Rep. by V. Rammohan. 8 Neeraj Jewellers, No. 4-2-270, Sultan Bazar, Opp: Dilshad Plaza, Hyderabad, Rep. by M. Ravi Kumar 9 Sri Gaayatri Silks & Sarees, No. 4-5-411, Opp Bata, Sultan Bazar X Road, Hyderabad, Rep. by N. Hari Kiran. 10 Jawahar Brothers, No. 4-5-409, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by Jhawar Lal Jain. 11 Sai Krishna Jewellers, No. 4-5-410, Sultan Bazar, Besides Central Bank, Hyderabad, Rep. by Murli Krishna 12 Sri Mahima Fancy Stores NX No. 4-2-303/1, Opp: Royal & Dilshad Plaza, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, REp. by Abhay Jain. 13 Pancharatan Dairy Confectionery, No. 4-4-2, Beside Dilshad Plaza, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by Dinesh Panwar. 14 Panchami Tiffins No. 4-4-942 & 943, Beside Royal Plaza, Sultan Bazar, Koti, Hyderabad, Rep.b y Vasidev Bhat B. 15 Agraala Designer Gallery, No. 4-4-949, Beside Dilshad Plaza, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by Gopal Goyal. 16 Gildas Collection, No. 4-2-300, Sultan Bazar, Opp: Royal Plaza Moti Singh Land, Hyderabad, Rep. by Pradeep Kumar Gilda. 17 Meenakshi Saree Centre, No. 4-2-204, Badi Chowdi, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by A. Manmohan Shas. 18 Mookambika Saree Centre, No. 4-2-206 & 207, Badichowdi, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by A. narsing Shah. 19 Ambica Saree Center, 4-2-205, Ball Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rep. by A. Ram Raj Shah. 20 Sri Thunga Swamy Cloth Merchant, No. 4-2-290, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by T. Sreehari. 21 Ram Bharasa Sweet Mart, No. 4-2-599, Badichowdi, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by Kishore Kumar V. 22 Ram Bharosa Imitatino Jewellers & Novelties, 4-2-601, Badi Chowdi, Govt. High School, Hdyerabad, Rep. by Rajesh. 23 New Ram Bharosa Mithai Bhandar, 4-2-602, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rep. by Kishore Kumar Vansariya. 24 Bhavana General Stores, 4-2-4453, Beside P.S. Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad. Rep. by Dinesh. 25 Aristocract Tailors Ladies & Gents, 4-2-461, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rep.b y R. Venaktesh. 26 Rajshree Dry Fruits, 4-2-589, Police Station Lane, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rep. by Atul Nagda. 27 Moti Selections, 4-2-579/2/A, Badi Chowdi, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by Ajay Modi. 28 Maharaja Matching Centre, 4-2-466, Police STation Line, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rep.b y Dinesh. 29 Maharaja Dupatta, 4-2-490, Police Station Line, Badi Chowdi, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by J. Madhu. 30 Kishor General Store, 4-2-468, Badi Chowdi, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by Lakshmikanth H. 31 Chintan Cut Piece, Police Station Lne, Badi Chowdi Hyderaad, Rep. by Hiton. 32 Vashnavi Duppatas, 4-2-319, Police Station Line, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rp. by Hiten Hiton. 33 Veena Embroiders Tailoring Material, 4-2-344, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rep. by Vishnu Gopal. 34 Naveen Traders, 4-2-579, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rep.b y Puspa Lata. 35 Priyanka's Beside Police Station Line, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rep. by Promad Bansal. 36 Goels X.L.N.C., 4-2-120-121, Beside Police Station,Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rep. by Vishynu Goel. 37 Miss & Kids Exclusive, 4-2-1035 & 1036, Beside Police station, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad Rep. by Sachin Vijaywargi 38 Sunitha Selection, 4-2-577,Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad Rep. by Kiran Bansal. 39 P. Buchaiah & Sons, 4-2-473, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad Rep. by P. Jagdish 40 Variety Creation, 4-2-488, Police Station Line, Badi Chowdi, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad Rep. by R. Ratan lal. 41 Shree Sneha Selections, 4-2-487, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rep. by K. Venkateshwar. 42 Anantha Exclusive 4-2-185, Badi Chowdi Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by C.H. Ramesh 43 Sri Sai Deep Selection, Near Police Station Line, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rep. by C.H. Ramesh. 44 M/s. Rock Foot Wear, 4-3-750, Sultan Bazar Road, Royal Plaza (Ramkoti), Hyderabad, Rep. by Habib Allauddin. 45 Balaji Exclusive, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by Om Prakash Soni. 46 Savla Shoppe 4-2-64, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad. Rep. by Vallabhji Salvi 47 Balaji Designers, Badi Chowdi, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by Pavan Soni 48 Shanti Novelties, 4-2-578/1, Police Station Line, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rep. by Suresh. 49 M/s. Shanti, 4-298, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rep. by Suresh. 50 Suraj Designer, 4-2-95, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rep. by R.K. Agarwal. 51 Variety Selection, 4-2-877, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rep. by R. Mallesh 52 Vardman Dresses, 4-2-939, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad Rep. by Voryasama Damji 53 Kirti Sree House, 4-2-879, Badi Chowdi, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by Sandeep. 54 Shambhual & Co., A.1 Dry Fruit Masala, Food grain Centre, No. 4-5- 11/842,. Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rep. by Vilesh Gala. 55 Mysore Ghee Stores, 4-2-836, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad, Rep. by R. Namasivaiyamni. 56 Goles Selections 4-2-826, Opp: Police Station Line, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad Rep. by Anil Kumar. 57 Roop Kamal Whole & Retailer of Sarees, 4-5-507, Badi Chowdi, Opp: Hanuman Temple, Hyderabad, REp. by Yogesh P. Bhrania. 58 Roopkala Sree Center, Shop No. 15, Tarakrishna Complex, Badi Chowdi, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad Rep. by Subdev Kumar. 59 Prakesh Cloth Stores Wholesale & Retailer, 4-2-200, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad Rep. by A Venugopal 60 Maheshwari Readymade Blouses & Matching Center, S.No. 4-5- 452/3, Srirang Complex, Badi Chowdi, Hyderabad Rep. by Madhusudhan Rao. 61 Padmavathi Silks, 4=-5-452/2, Sultan Bazar, hyderabad, Rep. by A Viganeshwara. 62 Satyam Sarees & Cut Pieces, 4-2-236, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by Mahesh Masithia. 63 Arivind Emporium 4-4-947,948, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad - 500 025, Rep. by Anand Narayan. 64 Arvind Emporium, 4-2-297, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by Anand Narayan. 65 Kabalavai Satyanarayana Son, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by K. Satish. 66 Ganesh Sarees Centre, 4-2-249, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, Rep. by Vaibhav. ..... PETITIONER(S) AND 1 The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Rep. by its Special Officer & Commissioner, Tank Bund Road, Hdyerabad. 2 The Additional Commissioner, Advertisement, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Tank Bund Road, Hyderabad. 3 U.S.M. Business Systems Pvt. Limited, 1-8-319/2, Patigadda Road, Behind Ford Showroom, Secunderabad. .....RESPONDENT(S) Petition under Article 226 of the constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the Affidavit filed herein the High Court will be pleased to issue a Writ, Order or direction more particularly one in the nature of writ of mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in issuing the notices to the petitioners under Section 421 r/w. Section 622 of the Municipal Corporation Act, 1955 vide Notice Nos. 794/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 18/05/2009;817/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 19/05/2009;846/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;846/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;846/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;839/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;846245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;846/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;843/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 2/05/2009;839/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;846/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;846/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;846/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;846/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;846/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;839/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;839/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;846/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;583/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 30/04/2009;839/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;845/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 21/05/2009;845/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;870/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 23/05/2009;845/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;736/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 8/05/2009;791/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 16/05/2009;686/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 8/05/2009;845/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;794/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 18/05/2009;791/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 16/05/2009;736/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 8/05/2009;791/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 16/05/2009;736/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 8/05/2009;686/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 8/05/2009;736/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 8/05/2009;736/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 8/05/2009;736/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 8/05/2009;686/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 7/05/2009;686/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 5/05/2009;686/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 7/05/2009;817/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 19/05/2009;817/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 19/05/2009;725/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 19/05/2009;845/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 21/05/2009;686/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 5/05/2009;817/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 20/05/2009;643/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 4/05/2009;643/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 2/05/2009;846/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;839/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;870/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;839/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;817/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 19/05/2009;846/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009;846/245/AD1/Advt/GHMC-08-09, DT. 22/05/2009; treating the name Board/board frames fixed by the petitioners on the parapet wall of its business place and consequently demanding the fee for the same is illegal, arbitrary, capricious and in violation of the principles of natural justice and to pass Counsel for the Petitioner:MR.N.VINESH RAJ Counsel for the Respondent No.: R.RAMACHANDRA REDDY,SC FOR MCH 1,2,4&6 The Court made the following : THE HON’BLE Ms. JUSTICE G. ROHINI WRIT PETITION No.12865 of 2009 ORDER: This writ petition is filed seeking a declaration that the impugned proceedings of the 2nd respondent-Additional Commissioner, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation demanding advertising fee for erection of advertisement boards are arbitrary and illegal. When the matter is taken up for consideration, it is brought to my notice by the learned counsel for the petitioners as well as the learned Standing Counsel appearing for respondents 1 and 2-Corporation that in identical circumstances W.P.No.5825 of 2006 and batch was disposed of by order dated 28.09.2006 holding as under : “.. … to attract the provisions of Section 421 of the Hyderabad Municipal Corporations Act, 1955, the Corporation must satisfy itself first that the provisions are attracted and hence the fee can be levied. This exercise has to be made in individual cases.” It is also brought to my notice that following the said order, W.P.No.6715 of 2009 and etc., were disposed of with a direction to the Corporation to consider the cases of the petitioners therein individually and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law. Since the petitioners herein are also similarly situated, following the above said orders, the impugned demand notices are hereby set aside and the Writ Petition is disposed of granting liberty to the petitioners to make a representation to the respondents within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of this order. If any such representations are made, the Corporation shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law. No costs. _______________ Justice G. Rohini Date. 30.06.2009 mrb