Ahmed Arshad Hussain , S/O Ahmed Mazhar Hussain, v. The Ministry Of Information And Broadcasting , Govt Of India

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE VILAS V. AFZULPURKAR WRIT PETITION No.25966 OF 2015 ORDER:

Heard.

The petitioner seeks consideration of his application for registration of a Newspaper, which he proposes to publish. He also states that he has made appropriate application before the District Collector and Magistrate, Hyderabad, the 2nd respondent, on 20.06.2015 in the proforma prescribed. The present Writ Petition is filed alleging inaction on the part of the 2nd respondent in considering the said application of the petitioner and passing appropriate orders. Learned Government Pleader for Home appearing for respondent No.3 had received instructions from the Additional Commissioner of Police, Special Branch, Hyderabad, which inter alia state that the then Government of Andhra Pradesh issued G.O.Ms.No.131, Law (LA&J-Home-Courts.B) Department, dated 21.08.

2008, whereby powers are conferred on the Joint Commissioner of Police/Deputy Commissioner of Police/Assistant Commissioner of Police, Special Branch as Executive Magistrate so as to enable them to process the matters under Section 6 of the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 (Central Act 25 of 1867) read with Section 20 (1) of Cr.P.C. A copy of the said G.O., is also furnished to the learned counsel for the petitioner.

In view of the same, learned counsel for the petitioner seeks liberty to approach the competent authority in terms of the said G.O., by making an appropriate application for the relief sought for by him.

Hence, the Writ Petition is disposed of permitting the petitioner to approach the competent forum by filing necessary application for consideration of his application in accordance with the existing rules and notification. There shall be no order as to costs. Miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending in this Writ Petition shall stand closed.

____________________________ VILAS V.AFZULPURKAR, J 01.09.2015 KH