Judicial review in administrative decisions regarding licensing in residential areas, emphasizing compliance with relevant regulations.

JUDGMENT

Aggrieved by the license granted by the 2^nd respondent to run Toddy shop No.22 in the building owned by the 7^th respondent, the petitioners have preferred Ext.P2 representation before the 2^nd respondent. The petitioners state that the toddy shop is situated in a residential area and that the licence has been issued contrary to the provisions of the Kerala Abkari Shops Disposal Rules, 2002. Accordingly, the petitioners have filed this writ petition seeking a direction to respondent Nos.2 to 6 to ensure that no toddy shop is run in the building bearing No.12/317 of Pullur Periya Grama Panchayat.

2. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and having regard to the submissions made across the Bar, there will be a direction to the 2^nd respondent or to the competent official among the respondents as authorized by the 2^nd respondent to consider Ext.P2 and pass appropriate orders, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioners in a representative capacity and to the licensee of the shop, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment.

The writ petition is accordingly disposed of.