High Court Kerala High Court

M/S Panopharam vs The Union Of India Rep. By Its on 21 January, 2010

Kerala High Court
M/S Panopharam vs The Union Of India Rep. By Its on 21 January, 2010
       

  

  

 
 
  IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

WP(C).No. 35318 of 2008(D)


1. M/S PANOPHARAM, NARAYANEEYAM,
                      ...  Petitioner

                        Vs



1. THE UNION OF INDIA REP. BY ITS
                       ...       Respondent

2. COMMISSIONER OF CENTRAL EXCISE,

3. COMMISSION OF CENTRAL EXCISE,

4. ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CENTRAL

5. SUPERINTENDENT OF CENTRAL EXCISE,

                For Petitioner  :SRI.E.K.NANDAKUMAR

                For Respondent  :SRI.TOJAN J.VATHIKULAM,SC,C.B. EXCISE

The Hon'ble MR. Justice P.R.RAMAN
The Hon'ble MR. Justice P.Q.BARKATH ALI

 Dated :21/01/2010

 O R D E R
               P.R.RAMAN & P.S.GOPINATHAN, JJ.
              =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=
                     W.P.(C) Nos. 35318 of 2008
                                  &
                            37168 of 2009
              =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=
               Dated this the 22th day of January, 2010

                            JUDGMENT

Raman, J.

When W.P.(C) No.35318 of 2008 was taken up for

hearing, W.P.(C) No. 37168 of 2009, though not listed today, on

agreement between the parties, was called up, since the

question raised in both the writ petitions is one and the same.

2. For the purpose of appreciation of question of law

arising for consideration, it will be sufficient to refer to the facts

relating to W.P.(C) No. 35318/2008.

3. Petitioner is a partnership firm, registered as a service

provider. The petitioner submits that the petitioner has been

providing clearing and forwarding agent’s service to Abbot India

Ltd., in terms of specific agreement between the parties. Ext.P1

produced for identification. Ext.P2 is another agreement.

According to the petitioner, service tax is not payable on the

reimbursed amount and the service tax on the entire commission

was paid by the petitioner. The authorities did not accept this

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 2

contention and Ext.P3 show cause notice was issued as to why

the alleged difference in service tax should not be demanded

from him. The petitioner submitted Ext.P4 reply. The

adjudicating authority rejected the contention in Ext.P4 and

confirmed the demand. The petitioner was also imposed a

penalty under section 78 of the Finance Act, 1994. Separate

penalty under section 76 of the Finance Act was also imposed. A

copy of the order is produced as Ext.P5. The order was received

at the office of the petitioner on 24-4-2008. Though the

petitioner is entitled to prefer a statutory appeal against the said

order before the 3rd respondent within three months, as

prescribed under section 85 of the Finance Act, he did not invoke

the appellate remedy within time. Obviously, for the reason that

power to condone the delay by the appellate authority is limited

for a period of three months which also expired on 24-10-2008.

Since the petitioner could not file a statutory appeal, the

petitioner has approached this Court by filing this writ petition.

4. According to the petitioner, the person in charge of the

affairs and dealing with the tax matters had left the service

without intimating the fact of receipt of Ext.P5. Only later when

the petitioner was served with notice dated 3-11-2008, which

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 3

was received on 7-11-2008, he came to know about Ext.P5

order.

5. When the matter came up before the learned Single

Judge of this Court, the respondents relying on a Division Bench

decision of this Court in Asst. Commissioner of Central Excise V.

Krishna Poduval (2005(4) KLT 947) contended that once the

period of limitation has run out for filing the appeal and when

the authority had no power to condone the delay beyond the

maximum period prescribed thereunder, the remedy of the

petitioner has come to an end and no cause survives thereafter

to entertain the writ petition. But, according to the learned

counsel for the petitioner, the principle laid down in the above

decision may not be correct and power under Article 226 of the

Constitution of India still would be available, even if statutory

remedy is not available. The learned Single Judge doubting the

correctness of the decision reported in the Assistant

Commissioner of Central Excise case (Supra) adjourned the case

to be considered by a Division Bench. Accordingly, we heard the

matter.

6. W.P.(C) No. 37168 of 2009 was also filed in similar

circumstances.

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 4

7. Learned counsel Sri.Jayasankar appearing on behalf of

the petitioner submits that an alternate remedy by way of an

appeal is not a bar for entertaining a writ petition under Article

226 of the Constitution of India. According to him, at least when

situation warrants and there are exceptional circumstances,

remedy by way of writ petition under Article 226 of the

Constitution of India is still available. The petitioner placed

reliance on a decision of the Madras High Court in Rayalseema

Constructions and another V. Deputy Commercial Tax Officer,

Mannady Division, Madras I, and others ((1959)10 STC 345) and

two decisions of the Supreme Court in K.Venkatachalam V.

A.Swamickan and another (1999)4 SCC 526) and Deputy

Commercial Tax Officer, Madras V. Rayalaseema Constructions 9

((1966) 17 STC505). Per contra, learned senior standing counsel

Sri.John Varghese would contend that it is now well settled that

though the alternate remedy by itself may not be a bar for

invoking the power under Article 226 of the Constitution of India

it has been held by catena of decisions that by way of self

imposed restriction, this Court will not entertain any writ

petition when such effective appellate remedy is available to the

aggrieved party. He placed reliance on a decision of the Apex

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 5

Court in Surya Dev Rai V. Ram Chander Rai and others ((2003)6

SCC 675). He also contended that when the statutory remedy

available to the petitioner under law is barred by Law of

Limitation, his remedy has come to an end just like in the case of

a time barred suit and he cannot resurrect his unenforceable

cause of action. Reliance is also placed on two decisions of this

Court in Kerala Motor Transport W.W.F.Board V. Government of

Kerala (2001 (1) KLT 608) and Krishnan T. and another V. State

of Kerala and others (ILR (2007(1) Ker. 233).

8. Heard both sides.

9. In Rayalseema Constructions and another case (Supra)

the Madras High Court held that the finality of an assessment

under the terms of a statute is not always or necessarily

conclusive of the legality of the assessment and an assessment

made without jurisdiction, or in pursuance of a provision which

is found to be ultra vires continues to be unlawful, and nothing

less than a validating provision properly enacted would alter that

fact. In relation to a tax, where an Assessing Officer acts outside

the boundaries of his jurisdiction, his acts would to that extent

be null and void. If any authority seeks to collect a tax so

imposed, a citizen can call in aid Article 265 and seek the

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 6

assistance of this Court. In Deputy Commercial Tax Officer,

Madras case (Supra) the Apex Court held that although when

there was an alternative remedy, the High Court would not

normally entertain an application under Article 226 of the

Constitution of India but where the High Court had chosen to

exercise its jurisdiction to grant relief to the petitioner the

Supreme Court would not interfere with the jurisdiction

exercised by the High Court. There is a clear finding in that case

the Sales tax Authorities had acted outside the Act in making an

assessment under the relevant part of the charging section

which was declared ultra vires by the Supreme Court. Though it

was contended by the appellant therein that the High Court was

in error in issuing a writ of mandamus when the proper remedy

was to file a suit, answering the said contention it was held that

no doubt true that when there was an alternate remedy, the High

Court will not normally entertain an application under Article

226 of the Constitution of India, but where the High Court has

chosen to exercise its jurisdiction the Apex Court will not

interfere with the jurisdiction by the High Court.

10. In K. Venkatachalam’s case (Supra) the Apex Court

held that High Court’s jurisdiction under Article 226 of the

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 7

Constitution of India, unless barred, is wide and covers all

violations of the law or the Constitution when recourse cannot be

had to other remedies provided by law. The Apex Court in C.A.

Abraham V. Income-tax Officer, Kottayam and another (AIR 1961

SC 609) held that the Income Tax Act provides a complete

machinery for assessment of tax and imposition of penalty and

for obtaining relief in respect of any improper orders passed by

the Income-tax authorities, and a person who is aggrieved by an

order of the Appellate Assistant Commissioner imposing a

penalty, cannot be permitted to abandon resort to that

machinery and to invoke the jurisdiction of the High Court under

Article 226 when he had adequate remedy open to him by way of

an appeal to the Tribunal.

11. The Apex Court in Surya Dev Rai V. Ram hander Ram

Chander Rai and others ((2003)6 SCC 675), after scanning

various decisions rendered by the Apex Court, summed up the

principles as to when and at what circumstances the

constitutional remedy under Articles 226 and 227 of the

Constitution of India could be invoked by a party. In paragraph

38 the Apex Court held that :

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 8

“38. Such like matters frequently arise before

the High Courts. We sum up our conclusions in a

nutshell, even at the risk of repetition and state the

same as hereunder:

(1) Amendment by Act 46 of 1999 with effect from 1-

7-2002 in Section 115 of the Code of Civil

Procedure cannot and does not affect in any

manner the jurisdiction of the High Court under

Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution.

(2) Interlocutory orders, passed by the courts

subordinate to the High Court, against which

remedy of revision has been excluded by CPC

Amendment Act 46 of 1999 are nevertheless

open to challenge in, and continue to be subject

to, certiorari and supervisory jurisdiction of the

High Court.

(3) Certiorari, under Article 226 of the Constitution,

is issued for correcting gross errors of

jurisdiction i.e. when a subordinate court is

found to have acted (i) without jurisdiction — by

assuming jurisdiction where there exists none, or

(ii) in excess of its jurisdiction — by overstepping

or crossing the limits of jurisdiction, or (iii)

acting in flagrant disregard of law or the rules of

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 9

procedure or acting in violation of principles of

natural justice where there is no procedure

specified, and thereby occasioning failure of

justice.

(4) Supervisory jurisdiction under Article 227 of the

Constitution is exercised for keeping the

subordinate courts within the bounds of their

jurisdiction. When a subordinate court has

assumed a jurisdiction which it does not have or

has failed to exercise a jurisdiction which it does

have or the jurisdiction though available is being

exercised by the court in a manner not permitted

by law and failure of justice or grave injustice

has occasioned thereby, the High Court may step

in to exercise its supervisory jurisdiction.

(5) Be it a writ of certiorari or the exercise of

supervisory jurisdiction, none is available to

correct mere errors of fact or of law unless the

following requirements are satisfied: (i) the error

is manifest and apparent on the face of the

proceedings such as when it is based on clear

ignorance or utter disregard of the provisions of

law, and (ii) a grave injustice or gross failure of

justice has occasioned thereby.

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 10

(6) A patent error is an error which is self-evident i.e.

which can be perceived or demonstrated without

involving into any lengthy or complicated

argument or a long-drawn process of reasoning.

Where two inferences are reasonably possible

and the subordinate court has chosen to take one

view, the error cannot be called gross or patent.

(7) The power to issue a writ of certiorari and the

supervisory jurisdiction are to be exercised

sparingly and only in appropriate cases where

the judicial conscience of the High Court dictates

it to act lest a gross failure of justice or grave

injustice should occasion. Care, caution and

circumspection need to be exercised, when any

of the above said two jurisdictions is sought to be

invoked during the pendency of any suit or

proceedings in a subordinate court and the error

though calling for correction is yet capable of

being corrected at the conclusion of the

proceedings in an appeal or revision preferred

there against and entertaining a petition

invoking certiorari or supervisory jurisdiction of

the High Court would obstruct the smooth flow

and/or early disposal of the suit or proceedings.

The High Court may feel inclined to intervene

where the error is such, as, if not corrected at

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 11

that very moment, may become incapable of

correction at a later stage and refusal to

intervene would result in travesty of justice or

where such refusal itself would result in

prolonging of the lis.

(8) The High Court in exercise of certiorari or

supervisory jurisdiction will not convert itself

into a court of appeal and indulge in re-

appreciation or evaluation of evidence or correct

errors in drawing inferences or correct errors of

mere formal or technical character.

(9) In practice, the parameters for exercising

jurisdiction to issue a writ of certiorari and those

calling for exercise of supervisory jurisdiction

are almost similar and the width of jurisdiction

exercised by the High Courts in India unlike

English courts has almost obliterated the

distinction between the two jurisdictions. While

exercising jurisdiction to issue a writ of

certiorari, the High Court may annul or set aside

the act, order or proceedings of the subordinate

courts but cannot substitute its own decision in

place thereof. In exercise of supervisory

jurisdiction the High Court may not only give

suitable directions so as to guide the subordinate

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 12

court as to the manner in which it would act or

proceed thereafter or afresh, the High Court may

in appropriate cases itself make an order in

supersession or substitution of the order of the

subordinate court as the court should have made

in the facts and circumstances of the case.”

12. The Apex Court has enunciated the principles as above

that a writ of certiorari and the supervisory jurisdiction are to be

exercised sparingly and only in appropriate cases where the

judicial conscience of the High Court dictates it to act lest a

gross failure of justice or grave injustice should occasion. At the

same time, the High Court in exercise of certiorari or

supervisory jurisdiction will not convert itself into a court of

appeal and indulge in re-appreciation or evaluation of evidence

or correct errors in drawing inferences or correct errors of mere

formal or technical character. A party aggrieved has necessarily

to chose that remedy available under the Statute rather than

abandon the same to invoke the extra-ordinary jurisdiction under

Article 226 of the Constitution. Though an alternate remedy may

not be a bar for interference under Article 226 of th Constitution,

being a constitutional remedy, the High Court will sparingly

exercise the jurisdiction by way of self imposed restriction.

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 13

13. In the case on hand there is no dispute that the

petitioner had the right to file an appeal against the order

impugned in this writ petition. But, the period prescribed under

the Statute in filing the appeal has expired even beyond the

period within which the authority could condone the delay. So,

when his remedy of filing an appeal is thus barred, can he invoke

the extra-ordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the

Constitution of India is a real question that arises for

consideration?

14. This Court in Prasad V. State of Kerala (1999(2)KLT

531) considered similar circumstances arising under the Toddy

Workers Welfare Fund Contribution Act. An order was passed by

the Welfare Fund Inspector under section 8(1) of the Act and it

provides an appellate remedy to the Government within 60 days

from the date of receipt of the order. The appeal was preferred

after a long delay. The said appeal was rejected by the

Government, which was challenged before this Court. It was held

that when the special statute does not contain a provision

making the provisions of section 5 of the Limitation Act

applicable, the question of condonation of delay invoking that

provision does not arise. The period prescribed under the

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 14

Statute has already expired. In the circumstances, when there

was no power to condone the delay to entertain an appeal filed

beyond the time prescribed under the Act, the delay cannot be

condoned by invoking the provisions of the Limitation Act. The

writ petition in such circumstances though the appellate remedy

was barred and rejected without being entertained, was not

entertained by this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of

India. The Division Bench confirmed the decision of the learned

Single Judge and dismissed the appeal.

15. In Krishnan T. and another V. State of Kerala and

others (ILR 2007(1) Ker. 233) the same issue, arising under the

Motor Transport Workers Welfare Fund Act, was considered by

this Court. There also the power of the appellate authority to

condone the delay was prescribed by the Statute and further

provided the maximum of which the period could be extended,

when that period has also expired and the appellate remedy thus

could not be invoked by a party by efflex of time. It was held that

the provisions under Article 226 of the Constitution of India

cannot be invoked by such person to bypass statutory remedy

when the appeal is not preferred within time.

16. This view was reiterated in the decision in Kerala

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 15

Motor Transport W.W.F.Board V. Government of Kerala (2001(1)

KLT 608. There the question arose for consideration was as to

whether in the absence of any specific statutory provision to

condone the delay, can an appellate authority be compelled to

entertain an appeal filed beyond the prescribed period and when

a right of appeal is provided, has the appellate authority got an

inherent power or implied power to condone the delay in filing

an appeal and under the provisions of the Kerala Motor

Transport Workers’ Welfare Fund Act, 1985, can a time-barred

appeal be directed to be entertained treating it as an appeal

within time? These were the questions sought for consideration

as referred to in paragraph 1 of the judgment. After referring to

the relevant provision of the Statute, it was held that an appeal

cannot be entertained beyond the prescribed period and there is

no inherent right of appeal under the Act and the Government

has no power, express or implied, to condone the delay and

entertain an appeal.

17. Yet in another case, Assistant Commissioner of Central

Excise V. Krishna Poduval (2005(4) KLT 947), where also a

similar question arise for consideration under the Finance Act,

1994. That also relates to the payment of service tax, interest

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 16

and penalty under the Finance Act, 1994. When notices were

issued to the parties as to why service tax quantified thereunder

along with interest and penalty should not be recovered and

ultimately, show cause notice culminated in demand of service

tax. The same was challenged in an appeal field before the

Commissioner of Central Excise. That was dismissed, since the

appeal itself was filed beyond the period prescribed under the

Act and even the time within which to condone the delay had

expired. Therefore, the appellate authority had no power to

condone the delay in filing the appeal beyond the maximum

period prescribed under the Act and that appeal was preferred

beyond the maximum period within which it should condone the

delay. Consequently, the appeal was rejected by the appellate

authority without the same being entertained. Thus, the matter

could not be considered on merits. Challenging the order the

writ petitions were preferred before this Court. In paragraph 7

of the judgment it was held as follows:-

“.. In so far as the respondents have not taken up the
original orders imposing penalty in appeals before
the appellate authority within the maximum period
prescribed under section 85(3) of the Finance Act,
they cannot get the appeals revived and heard on
merits by resorting to the discretionary remedy
before this Court under Article 226 of the

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 17

Constitution of India. Once the period of limitation
has run itself out and the appellate authority does
not have power to condone the delay in filing the
appeals beyond the maximum period prescribed
under the Act, the remedies of the appellants come
to an end just like in the case of a time barred suit
and the respondents cannot, by invoking the
discretionary remedy under the extraordinary
jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226 of the
Constitution of India, resurrect their unenforceable
cause of action and require this court to consider
their contentions against the original orders on
merit. That would amount to defeating the very law
of limitation which we are not expected to do under
Article 226. If we are to entertain the contentions of
the respondents on merits, that would amount to
negating the law of limitation which we have no
jurisdiction to do under Article 226 and which may
even lead no anomalous results. We are not satisfied
that the jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226
of the Constitution of India is so wide as to resurrect
a cause of action which has become unenforceable
on account of the law of limitation. Further, we are
of the firm opinion that the jurisdiction under Article
226 of the Constitution of India cannot be invoked
against express statutory provisions, however harsh
the effect of the provisions may be on an assessee or
litigant.

18. The above principle is supported by various decisions

of the Apex Court. Reference was made to Maheswary Fire Work

Industries V. Commercial Tax Officer and others (12 STC 272),

Commissioner of Sales Tax, Uttar Pradesh V. Parson Tools and

Plants, Kanpur (1975) 35 STC 413 which eloquently makes the

position clear that a person whose remedy provided under the

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 18

Statute has expired, there is no provision for invoking the

extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution

of India as it would amount to resurrect a cause of action.

19. We may even say that even if writ petition was filed

under Article 226 of the Constitution of India at a time when an

appellate remedy is not barred, this Court could certainly say it

would not entertain a writ petition, if the reliefs sought for in the

writ petition are available to be granted by invoking the

statutory remedy provided under the Statute. If that be so, the

case of a person who failed to invoke statutory remedy cannot be

better placed so as to invoke the extraordinary jurisdiction.

20. In paragraph 8 of the decision reported in Asst.

Commissioner of Central Excise’s case (Supra) the Division

Bench of this Court, after referring to the decision in Maheswary

Fire Work Industries case (Supra), held that the power to

condone the delay of 30 days provided under the Statute cannot

be made applicable to the High Court while exercising

jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution was not

acceptable as it did not contain any reason. This Court also held

that all the remedies of the respondents have come to an end

when their appeals were dismissed by the Commissioner of

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 19

Central Excise (Appeals) on the ground of limitation. Even the

further appellate authority or this Court does not have the

jurisdiction to entertain the claim on merits disregarding the

limitation or condoning the delay.

21. In Maheswary Fire Work Industries case (Supra) it

was stated that the period prescribed under the Statute and the

limitation prescribed cannot be made applicable to the High

Court under Article 226 of the Constitution. True that there is no

limitation prescribed for invoking the remedy under Article 226

of the Constitution. So, however, if the writ petition is filed with

undue delay, the High Court would not be inclined to exercise

jurisdiction for that reason alone. It cannot be said that when the

statutory remedy available under law is barred by the Law of

Limitation prescribed under the Statute, it is then open to the

party to seek extraordinary remedy under Article 226 of the

Constitution. The question that arises for consideration would be

whether the person who invoked extraordinary jurisdiction has

or had a remedy by way of an appeal provided under the Statute.

If such a remedy is available and the reliefs which he claim in

the petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution are reliefs

which can be granted by that statutory authority then

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 20

necessarily failure on his part to invoke remedy available under

the Statue is no reason to entertain writ petition under Article

226 of the Constitution. Suppose he invokes the remedy under

Article 226 of the Constitution, even at a time when statutory

remedy is not barred, the point to be examined then would be as

to whether there was exigencies pointed out by the Apex Court

namely whether there is any statutory violation or whether the

order impugned is against the principles of natural justice or

there arises an infringement of constitutional right or whether

the very provision is impugned as ultra vires of the provision of

the Constitution etc. So, if a writ petition is field on any of the

above grounds and found sustainable certainly alternate remedy

by way of an appeal will not be a bar for entertaining a writ

petition under Article 226 of the Constitution. Admittedly, in the

first two contingencies there is a violation of Statute or there is

infringement of the fundamental right, relief could be granted

only under Article 226 of the Constitution and not by the

statutory authority. In the same case if writ petition is filed

though the appellate remedy is barred by the Law of Limitation

then it is in consequential for the reason as stated above. But as

we could see the observation of the Division Bench in the

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 21

contextual situation arising for consideration was only whether

the party whose right is barred because it was filed beyond the

period prescribed under the Statute and whether that right can

be resurrected by invoking the jurisdiction under Article 226 of

the Constitution. The above decision when understood in the

above context, we find the same is supported by the various

pronouncements of the Apex Court and of this Court. The

decision has to be read as a whole and in the context in which it

arose for consideration.

22. In Collector of Central Excise, Calcutta V. M/s.Alnoori

Tobacco Products and another (JT 2004(5) SC 593) it was held

that courts should not place reliance on decisions without

discussing as to how the factual situation fits in with the fact

situation of the decision on which reliance is placed.

Observations of the courts are neither to be read as Euclid’s

theorems nor as provisions of the statute and that too taken out

of their context. These observations must be read in the context

in which they appear to have been stated. Judgments of courts

are not to be construed as statutes.

23. When we read the entire judgment, we have no doubt

in our mind that the principles stated in the said decisions is in

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 22

conformity with the earlier decisions of this Court as also that of

the Supreme Court referred to therein. That a party whose

remedy by way of an appeal under the statute is barred by the

period prescribed thereunder is no reason by itself to invoke the

extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution

of India. If the writ petition raises issues on which ordinarily

relief could not be given by that statutory authority then the fact

that a writ petition is field beyond the period prescribed under

the statute is not liable to be dismissed on that ground. In other

words, he will be similarly placed with the person who invoke the

remedy under Article 226 even where the period of limitation as

prescribed under the statute is not over. So, the question is

whether there exists such circumstances warranting interference

in a writ petition, either because a statutory remedy is not

effective or because there is a violation of the statute or

principles of natural justice or when there is an infringement of

the fundamental right. In such situation, it cannot be said that

Article 226 remedy is ousted.

24. Coming to the facts of this case, we find the reliefs as

sought for in the writ petition are reliefs which ordinarily could

be granted by the appellate authority. Therefore, there is no

W.P.(C) No. 35318/08 & con. case. 23

extraordinary situation for invoking the power under Article 226

of the Constitution of India, even if this writ petition is filed

within the period of limitation. This Court would have declined

to exercise jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution. If

that be so, there is an added ground as to why it will not

entertain the writ petition. When admittedly such remedy is

available, but not availed. Resultantly, the writ petitions fail and

are accordingly dismissed.

P.R.RAMAN, JUDGE

P.S.GOPINATHAN, JUDGE.

mn.