( 1 ) INTRODUCTION :the petitioner was granted Form il 24 licence under the provisions of A. P. Excise Act, 1968 (for short, the Act), and a. P. Indian Liquor and Foreign Liquor rules, 1970 (for short, the Rules) during the year 1998-1999 permitting him to run a retail Indian Liquor shop at Vepagunta village, Pendurthi Mandal. It was renewed from time to time and now it is valid till 31. 3. 2003. The second respondent herein, prohibition and Excise Superintendent, visakhapatnam, who is the licensing authority granted Form-IL24 licence on 5. 7. 2002 to the third respondent to sell all kinds of indian Liquor/foreign Liquor on the premises in S. No. 42/3 of Laxmipuram Panchayat, pendurti Mandal. This licence is assailed by the petitioner mainly on the ground that the second respondent violated Article 14 of the constitution of India and denied "equality before law" to the petitioner.

( 2 ) FACTS in brief leading to filing of the case are as follows. The second respondent issued Notification No. 36/2002 dated 8. 4. 2002 inviting applications for grant of IL-24 licences for the year 2002-2003. In the said Notification it was indicated that in as many as 29 Mandals of Vis