A licensed money-lender's application for area extension must be processed without delay when no irregularities exist, ensuring compliance with the governing laws.

JUDGMENT

Prathiba M. Singh, J. (Oral)--This hearing has been done through hybrid mode.

2. The present writ petition has been filed by the Petitioner - Prabhjot Singh seeking issuance of writ/order directing the Respondent to extend the money lending license already granted to him by the Punjab Government under the Registration of Money Lenders Act, 1938 (hereinafter, `MoneyLending Act') to New Delhi.

3. The case of the Petitioner is that he is a holder of money lending license issued by the Government of Punjab. He intended to extend his business to New Delhi, accordingly, he filed an application for extension of area of license to New Delhi on 10th December, 2020. However, the same was misplaced by the authorities and thus he filed a fresh application on 9th September, 2021. On16th November, 2021 the SDM, Rajouri Garden replied to the same and raised certain queries regarding the license issued to him in Punjab. The said queries were replied by the Deputy Commissioner Office, Amritsar (hereinafter, `Punjab Authority').

4. The Punjab Authority vide its communication dated 19th July 2022 duly certified that there was no irregularity or fraudulent act found against the Petitioner and that the address and other details provided by him were correct. The Punjab Authority also certified that the Petitioner bears good moral character. The said letter reads:

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, AMRITSAR MA-1 BRANCH

Dated: 19/07/2022

No. MA/MS-2/4759

Subject Regarding application for extension of area of license under the Punjab Registration of Money Lenders Act, 1838

Ref. Letter Your office letter no.SDM(RG)/Money Lenders/2021/4511

Dated 23.03.2022

This is to Inform you that a report has been received in this office from the Senior Superintendent of Police Amritsar (Rural) vide letter no. A50/v-3/C.P.R.C Dated 11.06.2022. According to the report, Nothing financial irregularities or fraudulent activities are found against M/s-J.B. Finance. Also; No Complaint/FIR etc, has been lodged against the firm M/S J.B. Finance for any financial irregularities/fraud/cheating. The name and address of Sh. Prabhjot Singh S/o Sh. Manmohan Singh R/o A-200 Dream City Amritsar is correct and he bears good moral Character.

This is for your information and necessary action.

Sd/-

For Deputy Commissioner

Amritsar"

5. Despite the receipt of the said certification from the Punjab Authority the SDM, Rajouri Garden has not taken any decision in the Petitioner's application seeking extension of area of license.

6. The grievance of the Petitioner is that the Respondent ought to take a decision and the same has been delayed without any valid reasons.

7. Ld. counsel for the Petitioner points out that the MoneyLending Act,along with the Punjab Registration of Money Lenders' Rules, 1939 (hereinafter, `money lending rules') provides that whenever extension of area license is sought, it shall be open to the Collector after making such inquiries as he considers necessary from the Collector of any other district, to extend the validity of a licence so as to include the area of that district.

8. The Court has perused the Act and the Rules and the same are set out below for ready reference:

"Rule 11, Punjab Registration of Money lenders Rules, 1939