JUDGMENT

Arijit Pasayat, J.-Delay condoned.

Leave granted.

2. Challenge in these appeals is to the direction given to the Union of India by Division Bench of the Delhi High Court to dispose of applications for renewal filed by the respondents expeditiously, in the background of views expressed on the factual aspects.

3. Shorn of rhetoric and bereft of legal controversy which constitutes bulk of the armoury as regards attack to the legality of judgment of the High Court by which four Letters Patent Appeals were disposed of, the factual background is as follows:

4. The respondents applied for and were granted permits under the provisions of the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981 (in short the Act ) and the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Rules, 1982 (in short the Rules ). Permits were granted in the Exclusive Economic Zone of India in the prescribed form. The said permit authorized the applicants-respondents to obtain on lease and operate Foreign Deep Sea Fishing Vessels in terms of the Act and the Rules. The permit was, however, not renewed after its period of initial currency. Stand of the applicants was that