PIL 97/2010 BEFORE HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. MADAN B. LOKUR HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE P.K. MUSAHARY (Madan B. Lokur, CJ) The petitioner has filed this petition apparently in public interest. The grievance of the petitioner is that the respondents are likely to burn 1571 seized rhino horns. It is submitted by the petitioner that instead of burning th e rhino horns, a direction should be given for preserving them in museums and to conserve them for scientific research or analysis. It appears that a public hearing was to be held on 14th December, 2010 t o take a decision whether the rhino horns should be burnt or not. The apprehensi on of the petitioner was that a decision would certainly be taken to burn them a nd that is why the petitioner has filed this writ petition as a quia timet actio n. Notice was issued to the respondents returnable today. Learned counsel for the State of Assam has brought to our notice that th e public hearing scheduled on 14th December, 2010 has since been postponed indef initely due to unavoidable circumstances. Under the circumstances, the writ petition has in a sense become infruct uous. However, we make it clear that whenever it is decided to hold a public hearing, due notice of the public hearing should be given and the petitioner may be heard , if he so desires. We expect the respondents to hold a public hearing at the earliest rathe r than to keep it pending indefinitely. With these observations, this writ petition stands disposed of.