IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.K.ABDUL REHIM MONDAY, THE 23RD MAY 2011 / 2ND JYAISHTA 1933 WP(C).No. 10510 of 2011(K) --------------------------------- PETITIONER(S): ------------------- SARIGA JOSEPH,AGED 30 YEARS, W/O.SHAJU AUGUSTINE,PADAYATTIL HOUSE, KALLUPALAM ROAD,ANGAMALY,ERNAKULAM DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.PAUL K.VARGHESE RESPONDENT(S): -------------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA,REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY,(REVENUE DEPARTMENT,GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,PIN-695001. 2. THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, FROT KOCHI-682001. 3. THE TAHSILDAR,ALUVA-683101. 4. THE VILLAGE OFFICER,ANGAMALY, PIN:683585. BY GOVT.PLEADER SRI.BIJOY CHANDRAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 23/05/2011, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: svs C.K.ABDUL REHIM, J. ------------------------------- W.P.(C).No.10510 of 2011 ------------------------------- Dated this the 23rd day of May, 2011. J U D G M E N T It is stated that Ext.P1 appeal accompanied by Ext.P2 stay petition filed before the 2nd respondent, challenging the assessment made under the Kerala Building Tax Act, is pending disposal. The petitioner apprehends coercive steps for recovery of the amounts, without considering pendency of the appeal. According to the petitioner, even though the appellate authority was moved seeking interim orders, the matter was not taken up. 2. Considering pendency of the statutory appeal, I am of the view that the writ petition can be disposed of directing the appellate authority to take expeditious steps. 3. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of directing the 2nd respondent to consider and pass orders on Ext.P1 appeal, as early as possible, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, at any rate within a period of 6 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this 2 W.P.(C).No.10510 of 2011 judgment, provided the said appeal is registered on the files of the authority and the same is in order. 4. Till the disposal of the appeal as directed above, recovery of amounts covered under the assessment in dispute, shall be kept in abeyance, provided the petitioner remits 25% of the total amount due, within 1 week from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment, if not already paid. C.K.ABDUL REHIM, Judge ami/