JUDGEMENT
JYOTIRMAY BHATTACHARYA, J. -
(1.) THIS mandamus appeal is directed against an interim order passed by Learned Single Judge of this Court on 10th July, 2014 in
W.P.No. 18138(W) of 2014 whereby the writ petitioners/appellants were permitted
to use the brick kilns, subject to due payment in terms of the demand of June 6,
2014 with this rider that if it is ultimately discovered that the increase was not justified or malafide, the petitioners would be entitled to appropriate
refund at the final hearing. The time to make the deposit in terms of the
impugned notice of 6th June, 2014 was enlarged by fortnight from the date of the
order. Parties were directed to file affidavits in the said proceeding and the
matter was directed to be listed for hearing in the monthly combined list of
September, 2014.
The legality of the said order is under challenge in this mandamus appeal at the
instance of the appellants/writ petitioners.
(2.) AFTER hearing the Learned Advocates for the parties and after considering the
materials on record, we do not find any reason to interfere with the impugned
order at this stage, as the justifiability of the demand towards the usage
charges is still under consideration before the Learned Single Judge.
However, considering the renewal clause contained in the agreement entered into
between the parties bearing Agreement No. 9 for the year 2012 -13; appearing at
page 52 of the stay application, we are of the view that the liability of the
petitioners to deposit a sum of Rs. 4,96,933/ - together with 10% escalation cost
cannot be denied by the petitioners for availing of renewal of the said lease
and as such, we modify the impugned order only to this extent that the
petitioners will be permitted to use the brick kiln, subject to
payment of a sum of Rs. 5,50,000/ - towards the demand made by the concerned
respondent vide its letter dated 6th June, 2014 to the concerned authority and
further deposit the balance demand amounting to Rs. 1,77,000/ - with the
Registrar General of this Court by way of security which may ultimately be
adjusted against the demand of the concerned authority, subject to the result of
the writ petition.
The Registrar General of this Court is directed to invest such deposit in short
term fixed deposit with State Bank of India, Calcutta Main Branch, and keep the
said deposit renewed till the disposal of the writ petition.
The time for payment and/or deposit, as mentioned above, is extended for a
period of four weeks. Such payment and/or acceptance of such money by the
parties will be without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the parties
in the writ petition.
The impugned order is modified to the above extent.
(3.) THE appeal is disposed of.
In view of the disposal of the appeal, no further order need be passed on the
application. Accordingly, the application is also disposed of.;
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