IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.9773 of 2007 RATAN KUMAR SINGH Versus THE UNION OF INDIA & ORS ----------- 04 29.07.2008 The petitioner is a licensee vendor occupying a shop at the Bhagalpur Railway Station. In January 2003, petitioner was intimated about arrears due from him on basis of enhanced licence fee. He continued to in default, as a consequence whereof, his shop was sealed and his licence cancelled. Being aggrieved, through his advocate he approached before the Divisional Railway Manager, Malda Division, which has also been rejected clearly holding that in spite of repeated reminders and requests he has failed to clear the arrears of licence fee and as such there being no option the licence was cancelled. Petitioner submits that in the year 2003, all of a sudden huge amounts of arrear were demanded, as consequence of increment of licence fee with effect from 1996. Petitioner was not intentional defaulter but because of sudden demand he could not pay the amount - 2 - immediately. Be that as it may, the default is admitted, and in that view of the matter, this Court is not inclined to interfere in the matter. However, the Respondent-Railway may consider granting of licence to the petitioner afresh, if petitioner clears his entire dues and Railway policy permits. Such a fresh settlement of terms to be mutually agreed, as per the directions of the Railway Board. It is pointed out that consequence to the sealing of his shop the goods therein have been retained by the Railways, the same may be returned to the petitioner. With these observations and directions, this writ petition is disposed of. Trivedi/ (Navaniti Prasad Singh,J.)