JUDGMENT/ORDER

1. Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith. Respondents waive service. Heard finally by consent of the parties, as appearing.

2. Respondent Nos. 5 to 10 are served, affidavit of service to that effect as directed by this Court by previous order dtd. 18/1/2023, is placed on record. Despite service these Respondents are not represented.

Accordingly as observed in para 3 of the Order dtd. 18/1/2023, the parties are required to be heard.

3. The order impugned in this Petition is an order dtd. 25/3/2022 passed by the Competent Authority under Sec. 17(1) of the Maharashtra Money-Lending (Regulation) Act, 2014 (for short the "Money Lending Act"). This petition was earlier filed as a Criminal Writ Petition, however, subsequently by an order passed by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court, it was permitted to be converted into a Civil Writ Petition.

4. Facts:- Respondent Nos. 7 to 10 approached the Competent Authority under the Money Lending Act, by their complaints which are similarly worded (pages 58 to 61 of the proceeding), which were to the effect that the four vehicles subject matter of the complaints are standing in the name of such Respondents in the records of the Regional Tr