Judicial review may direct authorities to consider appeals timely without adjudicating merits.

JUDGMENT

Petitioner was a Salesman in the Fair Price Shop No.276. He later applied for licence to run the same shop, based on his alleged experience. However, the application was dismissed by Ext.P6 order dated 10.01.2023. Challenging the aforesaid order, the petitioner preferred an appeal on 09.01.2026, presumably after a delay of more than three years. Petitioner claims that Ext.P6 order was received by him belatedly. The limited relief now sought for by the petitioner is for a direction to the 2^nd respondent to dispose of Ext.P7 appeal in a time-bound manner.

2. Learned Government Pleader, upon instructions, submitted that Ext.P7 appeal has been received, though it is belated in time.

3. Since Ext.P7 appeal has been received by the

2^nd respondent, I am of the view that this writ petition can be disposed of with a direction to the 2^nd respondent to consider and dispose of Ext.P7 appeal.

4. Accordingly, there will be a direction to the

2^nd respondent to consider and pass appropriate orders on Ext.P7 appeal within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment after granting the petitioner an opportunity of hearing. It is clarified that this Court has not considered the merits of the matter or even the contentions of the petitioner that there is no delay. Those are all matters to be considered by the appellate authority.

The writ petition is disposed of as above.

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