Sai Sujala Foundation, Yousufguda Check Post, And Another. v. The Tahsildar, Nadendla, Guntur District And 2 Others.

HON'BLE THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE RAMESH RANGANATHAN Writ Petition No.15180 of 2011 ORDER:

The action of the respondents, in seizing the water purifier operated by the petitioners, is under challenge in this Writ Petition as being illegal and arbitrary. It is the petitioners' case, as stated by them in the Writ affidavit, that they are providing drinking water to people in their village free of cost as part of the social services rendered by them; and no permission is required for providing drinking water, to the villagers, free of cost. By way of interim relief the petitioners sought a direction to the respondents to remove the seal, and permit them to operate the water purifier pending disposal of the Writ Petition. Interim directions as prayed for, was granted on 08.06.2011 in WPMP No.18223 of 2011.

Sri T.Sricharan, Learned Counsel for the petitioners, would submit that the petitioners are operating the water purifier ever since then; they continue to operate the water purifier; and are supplying drinking water, to the villagers, free of cost.

Suffice it, therefore, to make it clear that, in case the petitioners are found to be supplying drinking water to the villagers, collecting amounts from them, it is open to the respondents to take action against the petitioners in accordance with law. If, however, they are still supplying

drinking water free of cost and have not violated any statutory provision - plenary or subordinate, the respondents shall not interfere with their charitable activities.

The Writ Petition stands disposed of accordingly. The miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed. There shall be no order as to costs.

_________________________________ RAMESH RANGANATHAN, ACJ.

Date:09.02.2018.

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