JUDGMENT

Petitioner challenges the order cancelling his licence to run an Akshaya Centre as well as the order of the Appellate Authority, affirming the said cancellation. Petitioner alleges that the impugned orders have been issued without adhering to the principles of natural justice and also without considering the relevant facts.

2. Petitioner was a duly licensed Akshaya Centre Entrepreneur (for short, ‘ACE') and was operating an Akshaya Centre at Karakkonam in Thiruvananthapuram District, pursuant to an agreement dated 13.02.2014. According to the petitioner, even though he operates a mobile phone shop in close proximity to the Akshaya Centre, the same does not adversely impact the goodwill, brand and future prospects of the Akshaya Centre. Petitioner alleges that, due to a personal enmity of the Block Co-ordinator of the Akshaya Centre, the District Collector suspended his licence on 13.02.2024, which was challenged by him in W.P.(C) No.19864 of 2024 and this Court directed the District Collector to pass orders pursuant to the objection filed by the petitioner. Thereafter, the District Collector, by an order dated 22.06.2024, permitted the petitioner to continue operating the Ak