JUDGMENT

In view of the commonness of the issues involved in these writ petitions they are taken up for joint hearing and disposal. The petitioners in all these writ petitions are successful bidders in the auction sale of privilege for vending toddy in different toddy shops in different Excise Ranges under different Excise Divisions. The respective 4th respondent in all these writ petitions are the previous licensees of the shops concerned in each of these writ petitions. However, they were denied preference owing to the registration of abkari cases against them other than under section 56 of the Abkari Act. In W.P(C).No.13758/2014, C.R.No.72/2013 of Wadakkancherry Excise Range was registered against the 4th respondent therein under section 55(a)&(i) of the Abkari Act. In W.P(C) No.13868/2014 against the 4th respondent therein C.R.Nos. 14/2013 and 23/13 of Kunnamangalam Excise Range were registered under section 57(a) & 56(b) of the Akbari Act and Rule 9(2) of the Kerala Abkari Shops Disposal Rules, 2002 and in W.P (C)No.14191/2014 against the 4th respondent therein Crime No.472/2013 of Pulimkunnu police station was registered under section 56(b) & 55(a) & (i) of the Abkari Act. By