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UNION OF INDIA AND ORS  Vs HARPREET SINGH CHHABRA AND ANR -Judgment by Delhi High Court

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$~6 to11, 13to 42&45 to 48
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
+ LPA 64/2018 & CM APPL. 6177-78/2018
THE UNION OF INDIA & ANR …. Appellants
Through: Mr.Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Ms. Vidhi Jain, Adv. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC Mrs. Prema Priyadarshini, Adv.
Versus
PARESH NATH SHARMA & ANR ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 130/2018 & CM APPL. 11412-11414/2018
UNION OF INDIA AND ORS ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC and Ms. Vidhi Jain, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
Versus
HARPREET SINGH CHHABRA AND ANR ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 131/2018 & CM APPL. 11415-11417/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mrs. Prema Priyadarshini, Senior Panel Counsel. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC Versus
HARPREET SINGH BATRA & ORS ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 132/2018 & CM APPL. 11418-11420/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mrs. Prema Priyadarshini, Senior Panel Counsel. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
Versus
GAURAV MARYA ….. Respondent
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 133/2018 & CM APPL. 11421-11423/2018
THE UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC Ms. Shiva Lakshmi, CGSC.
Versus
KUNWAR VIKRAM SINGH ….. Respondent
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 134/2018 & CM APPL. 11424-11426/2018
THE UNION OF INDIA THROUGH THE SECRETARY & ANR ….. Appellants Through: Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
Ms. Shiva Lakshmi, CGSC.
Versus
MS LATIKA DATT ABBOTT & ANR ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae. Mr. Satvik Issar and Mr. Kustubh Prakash, Advs.
+ LPA 136/2018 & CM APPL. 11430-11432/2018
UNION OF INDIA AND ORS ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC Ms. Shiva Lakshmi, CGSC.
Versus
GAUTAM KHURANA AND ORS …. Respondents
Through: Dr. Chandra Shekhar, Advocates for R-1. Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 137/2018 & CM APPL. 11433-11435/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ORS ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC and Ms. Vidhi Jain, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC alongwith Ms. Shreya Jetly, Advocate.
Versus
SANDEEP SINGH & ANR ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 138/2018 & CM APPL. 11436-11438/2018
UNION OF INDIA AND ORS ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC and Ms. Vidhi Jain, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC alongwith Ms. Shreya Jetly, Advocate.
Versus
SAMIRAN GUPTA AND ANR ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 139/2018 & CM APPL. 11439-11441/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ORS ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC and Ms. Vidhi Jain, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
Versus
AJAY SINGH & ORS ….. Respondents Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Advocate. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 140/2018 & CM APPL. 11442-11444/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC Ms. Shiva Lakshmi, CGSC.
Versus
HARI MOHAN GUPTA & ORS ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 141/2018 & CM APPL. 11445-11447/2018

UNION OF INDIA & ORS …..Appellants
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC and Ms. Vidhi Jain, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
Versus
JAI S PATHAK ….. Respondent
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 142/2018 & CM APPL. 11448-11450/2018
UNION OF INDIA THROUGH THE SECRETARY & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC Ms. Shiva Lakshmi, CGSC.
Versus
NAIVEDYA SHARMA & ORS ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 143/2018 & CM APPL. 11451-11453/2018
UNION OF INDIA THR THE SECRETARY & ANR….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC Ms. Shiva Lakshmi, CGSC.
Versus
PRADEEP JAIN ….. Respondent
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 144/2018 & CM APPL. 11454-11456/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ORS ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC and Ms. Vidhi Jain, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
Versus
SANJEEV KUMAR ASTHANA & ORS ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 145/2018 & CM APPL. 11457-11459/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC Mrs. Prema Priyadarshini, Senior Panel Counsel.
Versus
ARVIND RAJNISH VOHRA ….. Respondent
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 146/2018 & CM APPL. 11460-11462/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants Through: Mrs. Prema Priyadarshini, Senior Panel Counsel.
Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC alongwith Ms. Shreya Jetly, Advocate. Versus
PRADEEP ARORA & ORS ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 147/2018 & CM APPL. 11463-11465/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mrs. Prema Priyadarshini, Senior Panel Counsel. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC alongwith Ms. Shreya Jetly, Advocate.
Versus
JEET NABHA KHEMKA & ANR ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 148/2018 & CM APPL. 11466-11468/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC alongwith Ms. Shreya Jetly, Advocate. Ms. Shiva Lakshmi, CGSC.
Versus
LATIKA DATT ABBOTT & ORS ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. Satvik Issar and Mr. Kustubh Prakash, Advs. Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 149/2018 & CM APPL. 11469-11471/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mrs. Prema Priyadarshini, Senior Panel Counsel. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC alongwith Ms. Shreya Jetly, Advocate.
Versus
PRADEEP KUMAR GARG & ANR ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 150/2018 & CM APPL. 11472-11474/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC Ms. Shiva Lakshmi, CGSC.
Versus
SUKHDEEP BHOGAL & ANR ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 151/2018 & CM APPL. 11475-11477/2018
UNION OF INDIA AND ORS ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC and Ms. Vidhi Jain, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
Versus
SANJEEV KUMAR ASTHANA AND ANR ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 152/2018 & CM APPL. 11478-11480/2018

UNION OF INDIA & ANR Through:
Versus
RAJIV KUMAR & ANR Through:
….. Appellants Mrs. Prema Priyadarshini, Senior Panel Counsel. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC alongwith Ms. Shreya Jetly, Advocate.
….. Respondents Mr. Siddharth Nath and Ms. Khushboo, Advs. for R-1 & 2. Mr. S.P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 153/2018 & CM APPL. 11481-11483/2018

UNION OF INDIA & ORS Through:
Versus
MANOJ KUMAR RAY Through:
….. Appellants Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC and Ms. Vidhi Jain, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
….. Respondent Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 154/2018 & CM APPL. 11484-11486/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC and Ms. Vidhi Jain, Advocate. Ms. Shiva Lakshmi, CGSC. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
Versus
JILE SINGH & ORS ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 155/2018 & CM APPL. 11487-11489/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC and Ms. Vidhi Jain, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC alongwith Ms. Shreya Jetly, Advocate.
Versus
SANJIV GUPTA & ANR ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 156/2018 & CM APPL. 11490-11492/2018
THE UNION OF INDIA THROUGH THE SECRETARY & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC and Ms. Vidhi Jain, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC Ms. Shiva Lakshmi, CGSC.
Versus
RAMAN NANDA ….. Respondent
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 157/2018 & CM APPL. 11493-11495/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ORS ….. Appellants Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC and Ms. Vidhi Jain, Advocate.
Versus
RAJESH BHATEJA & ANR Through: Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
….. Respondents Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 168/2018 & CM APPL. 12541-12542/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Ripu Daman Bhardwaj, CGSC and Mr. Kushagra Kumar, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
versus
RAHUL AGGARWAL & ORS ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 170/2018 & CM APPL. 12548-12549/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Ripu Daman Bhardwaj, CGSC and Mr. Kushagra Kumar, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
Versus
TILOKCHAND MANAKLAL KOTHARI & ORS….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 171/2018 & CM APPL. 12551-12552/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Ripu Daman Bhardwaj, CGSC and Mr. Kushagra Kumar, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
Versus
MAHAVIR PRASAD JAIN & ORS ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 172/2018 & CM APPL. 12554-12555/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Ripu Daman Bhardwaj, CGSC and Mr. Kushagra Kumar, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
Versus
ROHAN GUPTA & ORS ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 174/2018 & CM APPL. 12563-12564/2018 & CM APPL. 12572/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Ripu Daman Bhardwaj, CGSC and Mr. Kushagra Kumar, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
Versus
PARMOD KUMAR MISHRA & ORS ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 175/2018 & CM APPL. 12566-12567/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Ripu Daman Bhardwaj, CGSC and Mr. Kushagra Kumar, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
Versus
PURNIMA GUPTA & ORS ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 176/2018 & CM APPL. 12569-12570/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Ripu Daman Bhardwaj, CGSC and Mr. Kushagra Kumar, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
Versus
SHIVLAL GOYAL ….. Respondent
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 184/2018 & CM APPL. 13681-13683/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Ripu Daman Bhardwaj, CGSC and Mr. Kushagra Kumar, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC Versus
RAJESH VARMA & ORS ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 190/2018 & CM APPL. 13935-13937/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ORS Through:
Versus
AKSHAY TIWARI Through:
….. Appellants Mr. Ripu Daman Bhardwaj, CGSC and Mr. Kushagra Kumar, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
….. Respondent Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 192/2018 & CM APPL. 13953-13955/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Ripu Daman Bhardwaj, CGSC and Mr. Kushagra Kumar, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
Versus
SURAJ SINGH ….. Respondent
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 193/2018 & CM APPL. 14079-14081/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ORS ….. Appellants Through: Mr. Ripu Daman Bhardwaj, CGSC and Mr. Kushagra Kumar, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
Versus
ROHNI AGGARWAL & ANR. …. Respondents
Through: Mr. S. P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
+ LPA 194/2018 & CM APPL. 14085-14087/2018
UNION OF INDIA & ANR ….. Appellants
Through: Mr. Ripu Daman Bhardwaj, CGSC and Mr. Kushagra Kumar, Advocate. Mr. Vikram Jetly, CGSC with Ms. Shreya Jetly, Adv. for UOI/ROC
Versus
PRADEEP GOEL & ANR ….. Respondents
Through: Mr. Ankit Singal, Advocate Mr. S.P. Singh, Chawla, Amicus Curiae. Ms.Kavita Jha, Amicus Curiae.
% Date of Decision: 17th January, 2023

CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE MANMOHAN HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SAURABH BANERJEE
JUDGMENT

MANMOHAN, J: (ORAL)
1. Present appeals have been filed by the Union of India challenging the
judgment and orders passed by the learned Single Judge, whereby the Court
has ordered that removal of companies from the Register of Companies
under Section 248 (1) of the Companies Act, 2013 would be deemed to be voluntary dissolution under Section 248 (2) of the Companies Act, 2013 and that the respondents-companies would be entitled to a sympathetic consideration by the Registrar of Companies under the Condonation of Delay Scheme, 2018.
2.
Learned counsel for the appellants-Union of India state that the appellant-Union of India is not in a position to comply with the impugned directions of the learned Single Judge as the companies in question have been struck-off under Section 248(1) Companies Act, 2013 and necessary gazette notifications thereof have been issued. They state that the computer software does not permit the stuck-off companies to be transposed as voluntarily struck-off companies. According to them, the remedy for such struck-off companies is by filing revival applications before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) under Section 252 of the Companies Act, 2013. They further submit that the struck-off companies would be eligible to apply for the Condonation of Delay Scheme, 2018, only if they had been revived by the NCLT. Consequently, the learned counsel for the appellants submit that learned Single Judge had erroneously directed that the companies which had already been struck-off can avail the benefit of Condonation of Delay Scheme, 2018.

3.
Learned counsel for the respondents-original writ petitioners and the learned Amicus Curiae state that the respondents-original writ petitioners had primarily challenged their disqualification as directors and for unfreezing their Director Identification Numbers (DIN) and Digital Signature Certificates. They state that in none of the writ petitions before the learned Single Judge, the writ petitioners had sought the relief of

voluntary dissolution of the companies and / or applicability of Condonation of Delay Scheme, 2018.

4.
Learned counsel for the Union of India, on instructions of Registrar of Companies, NCT of Delhi and Haryana, who is personally present in Court, state that as the period of disqualification of the Respondents-original writ petitioners has now expired by efflux of time, they have no objection if the present appeals are disposed of in accordance with the order dated 11th November, 2022 passed by this Court in a batch of writ petitions in which lead writ petition was W.P.(C) 62/2019.

5.
Learned counsel for the respondents-original writ petitioners state that they would be satisfied if the relief granted vide order dated 11th November, 2022 is granted to them.

6.
Since the present respondents-original writ petitioners are similarly placed to the writ petitioners in a batch of writ petitions (in which lead writ petition was W.P.(C) No.62/2019) which have already been disposed of by this Court, the present appeals are disposed of holding that as the period of disqualification of respondents-original writ petitioners/directors has expired by efflux of time i.e. on account of lapse of five years, the respondents-original writ petitioners are eligible for appointment/re-appointment as directors. However, it is clarified that the writ petitioners, who carried on as directors due to subsistence of interim orders passed by this Court, shall not be visited with any civil or penal consequences.

7.
It is further clarified that none of the writ petitioners will be eligible for appointment/re-appointment as directors if they have incurred any other disqualification or were disqualified for any subsequent period on account of non-filing of returns.

8.
It is also clarified that the companies which had already been struck off under Section 248(1) of the Companies Act, 2013 shall not be revived by virtue of the impugned order. However, the respondents-original writ petitioners shall be at liberty to file appropriate proceedings in accordance with law for seeking revival of the companies in question.

9.
The questions of law and fact raised by the appellants-Union of India are left open.

10.
The Demand Drafts (DD), if any, deposited by the petitioners in accordance with the interim orders passed by this Court shall be returned/refunded to the said petitioners. List the present batch of writ petitions before the Joint Registrar for the limited purpose of return/refund of DD, if any, on 30th January, 2023. With the aforesaid directions, the present batch of writ petitions along with pending applications stand disposed of.

MANMOHAN, J
SAURABH BANERJEE, J JANUARY 17, 2023 rr/KA