JUDGMENT :

Vaibhavi D. Nanavati, J.

1. By way of this writ-application under Article 226 of the Constitution of India the writ-applicant has sought the following reliefs :-

“(A) The Hon’ble Court be pleased to issue writ of Mandamus, or any other writ, order or direction, directing the Respondent Authorities to refund the Security Deposit amount of Rs.9 62,750 with 9% per annum rate of interest from the date of deposit till payment to the Petitioner by holding that forfeiture of the Security Deposit during COVID-19 Pandemic by the Respondent Authorities is illegal, arbitrary, unjust, unreasonable, without any basis, in colorable exercise of powers, without authority of law and rules and regulations applicable and consequently such forfeiture of Security Deposit is violative of Articles 14, 19(1) (g) r/w Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

(B) Pending hearing and final disposal of this petition, the Hon'ble Court be pleased to issue writ of Mandamus, or any other writ, order or direction, directing the Respondent Authorities to deposit the Security Deposit amount of Rs. 9,62,750 before the High Court Registry.

(C) The Hon'ble Court be pleased to grant Ad-interim Relief in terms of P