THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE T. MEENA KUMARI AND THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAMESH RANGANATHAN WRIT PETITION No. 747 of 2008 ORAL ORDER: (Per T. Meena Kumari, J) The Writ Petition is filed seeking stay of collection of the disputed tax of Rs. 53,71,011/- for the assessment year 2002-03 under the APGST Act arising in pursuance of the stay rejection orders of the 3rd respondent dated 16.11.2007 passed in CCT’s Ref.No.LIII(2)/761/2007, pending disposal of the appeal before the Sales Tax Appellate Tribunal. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has preferred an appeal before the Sales Tax Appellate Tribunal against the orders of the 2nd respondent and the same is still pending. The learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that the stay petition filed by the petitioner before the 3rd respondent was rejected by orders dated 16.11.2007. Challenging the said rejection, the present Writ Petition has been filed. It is further submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that the total amount has been paid, if no stay is granted, the petitioner would be put to irreparable loss. Heard the learned Special Standing Counsel for Commercial Taxes. In view of the facts and circumstances of the case, it would suffice if stay is granted subject to payment of 50% of the total amount of disputed tax of Rs. 53,71,011/-. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is disposed of. However, pending disposal of the appeal before the Sales Tax Appellate Tribunal, stay is granted subject to payment of 50% of the disputed tax of Rs. 53,71,011/- and the same shall be deposited before the 1st respondent within a period of six weeks from today. It is made clear that if any amount is already paid by the petitioner towards the disputed tax, the same shall be given credit to the 50% of the tax now to be deposited. _______________________ T. MEENA KUMARI, J _______________________________ RAMESH RANGANATHAN, J 22.1.2008 N.B. C.C. in one week. BO CHV