- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 6TH DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.G.S. KAMAL WRIT PETITION NO. 1000 OF 2012 (GM-RES) C/W WRIT PETITION NO. 21590 OF 2011 (GM-RES) WRIT PETITION NO. 999 OF 2012 (GM-RES) WRIT PETITION NO. 19652 OF 2013 (GM-RES) WRIT PETITION NO. 32490 OF 2016 (GM-RES) WRIT PETITION NO. 32246 OF 2018 (GM-RES) WRIT PETITION NO. 32247 OF 2018 (GM-RES) IN WP No. 1000/2012 BETWEEN: M/S TITAN COMPANY LIMITED (FORMERLY KNOWN AS TITAN INDUSTRIES LTD.,) A COMPANY REGISTERED UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT, 1956 HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT: NO.3, SIPCOT INDUSTRIES COMPLEX HOUSR-635126, TAMIL NADU, AND ITS CORPORATE OFFICE SITUATED AT GOLDEN ENCLAVE TOWER-A AIRPORT ROAD, BANGALORE-560017 REP. BY ITS GENERAL MANAGER-LEGAL MR. T. SRINIVASA MURTHY. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. GANAPATI HEGDE .,ADVOCATE FOR SRI. RAYAPPA HADAGALI., ADVOCATE) Digitally signed by SUMA B N Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS AND: 1. UNION OF INDIA THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION, HAVING ITS ADDRESS AT KRISHI BHAVAN, NEW DELHI-1. 2. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL METROLOGY, DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BANGALORE-560 001. 3. THE CONTROLLER OF LEGAL METROLOGY NO.1, ALI ASKER ROAD, P.B.NO.175, BANGALORE-560 052. 4. THE INSPECTOR OF LEGAL METROLOGY BADRAVATHI SUB DIVISION, KANAKANAGAR, 3RD CROSS, NEW BRIDGE ROAD, BHADRAVATHI. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. SHANTHI BHUSHAN, DSGI FOR R1; SRI. MAHANTESH SHETTAR., AGA FOR R2 TO R4) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO DECLARE THAT THE WATCHES MANUFACTURED BY THE PETITIONER AND SEIZED BY THE R4 ARE NOT A PRE- PACKAGED COMMODITY OR RETAIL PACKAGE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE LEGAL METROLOGY ACT 2009 AND THE LEGAL METROLOGY (PACKAGED COMMODITIES) RULES 2011 AND ETC. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS IN WP NO. 21590/2011 BETWEEN: 1. M/S TITAN COMPANY LIMITED (FORMERLY KNOWN AS TITAN INDUSTRIES LTD.,) A COMPANY REGD UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT, 1956 HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT NO.3, SIPCOT INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX, HOUSR-635 126, TAMIL NADU, AND ITS CORPORATE OFFICE SITUATED AT GOLDEN ENCLAVE, TOWER-A, AIRPORT ROAD, BANGALORE - 560 017 REP BY ITS GENERAL MANAGER LEGAL T. SRINIVASA MURTHY. 2. M/S ARUN DISTRIBUTORS PARTNERSHIP FIRM REGISTERED UNDER THE INDIAN PARTNERSHIP ACT, 1932, NO.14 , 2ND CROSS, CSI COMPOUND, MISSION ROAD, BANGALORE - 560 027, REPRESENTED BY ITS PARTNER MR B K SINGHANIA. ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. GANAPATI HEGDE.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. UNION OF INDIA THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION HAVING ITS ADDRESS AT KRISHI BHAVAN, NEW DELHI - 1. 2. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY THE SECRETARY - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL METROLOGY DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BANGALORE -560 001. 3. THE CONTROLLER OF LEGAL METROLOGY NO.1, ALI ASKER ROAD, P B NO.175, BANGALORE 560 052. 4. THE INSPECTOR OF LEGAL METROLOGY AUTO & TAXI UNIT, FLYING SQUAD NO.1, ALI ASKER ROAD, P B NO.175 BANGALORE - 560 052. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. SHANTHI BHUSHAN, DSGI FOR R1, R3 AND R4; SRI. MAHANTESH SHETTAR., AGA FOR R2) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO DECLARE THAT THE WATCHES SEIZED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.4 AND MANUFACTURED BY THE PETITIONER NO.1 ARE NOT A COMMODITY IN PACKAGED FORM OR PRE-PACKED COMMODITY UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE STANDARDS OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT, 1976 AND THE PROVISIONS OF THE STANDARDS OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (PACKAGED COMMODITIES) RULES 1978, RESPECTIVELY AND ETC. IN WP NO. 999/2012 BETWEEN: M/S TITAN COMPANY LIMITED (FORMERLY KNOWN AS TITAN INDUSTRIES LTD.,) A COMPANY REGD UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT, 1956 HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT NO.3, SIPCOT INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX, HOUSR 635 126, TAMIL NADU, AND ITS CORPORATE OFFICE SITUATED AT GOLDEN ENCLAVE, TOWER-A, - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS AIRPORT ROAD, BANGALORE - 560 017 REP BY GENERAL MANAGER LEGAL T. SRINIVASA MURTHY. ...PETITIONER (BY SRI. GANAPATI HEGDE .,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. UNION OF INDIA THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION HAVING ITS ADDRESS AT KRISHI BHAVAN NEW DELHI 1. 2. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL METROLOGYDR AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BANGALORE - 560 001. 3. THE CONTROLLER OF LEGAL METROLOGY NO.1, ALI ASKER ROAD, P B NO.175, BANGALORE - 560 052. 4. THE INSPECTOR OF LEGAL METROLOGY FLYING SQUAD I, NO.1, ALI ASKAR ROAD, BANGALORE - 560 052. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. SHANTHI BHUSHAN DSGI FOR R1; SRI. MAHANTESH SHETTAR., AGA FOR R2 TO R4) - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO DECLARE THAT THE SUNGLASSES MANUFACTURED BY THE PETITIONER AND SEIZED BY THE R4 AND ARE NOT A 'PRE- PACKAGED COMMODITY' OR 'RETAIL PACKAGE' UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE LEGAL METROLOGY ACT, 2009 AND THE LEGAL METROLOGY (PACKAGED COMMODITIES) RULES, 2011 AND ETC. IN WP NO. 19652/2013 BETWEEN: 1. M/S TITAN COMPANY LIMITED (FORMERLY KNOWN AS TITAN INDUSTRIES LTD.,) A COMPANY REGD UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT, 1956 HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT NO.3, SIPCOT INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX, HOUSR-635 126, TAMIL NADU, AND ITS CORPORATE OFFICE SITUATED AT GOLDEN ENCLAVE, TOWER-A, AIRPORT ROAD, BANGALORE - 560 017 REP. BY GENERAL MANAGER LEGAL T. SRINIVASA MURTHY. 2. M/S. REVOLUTION #396, OOLIGA COMPLEX 8TH CROSS, MALLESWARAM BENGALURU - 560 003 REP. BY ITS PROPRIETOR MR. S. KRISHNAMURTHY ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. RAYAPPA HADAGALI.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. UNION OF INDIA THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS CONSUMER AFFAIRS FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION HAVING ITS ADDRESS AT KRISHI BHAVAN NEW DELHI -01. 2. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL METROLOGY DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BANGALORE - 560 001. 3. THE CONTROLLER OF LEGAL METROLOGY NO.1, ALI ASKER ROAD, P.B. NO.175, BANGALORE - 560 052. 4. THE INSPECTOR OF LEGAL METROLOGY NO.21, 4TH MAIN ROAD, 8TH CROSS MALLESWARAM BANGALORE - 560 003. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. SHANTHI BHUSHAN DSGI FOR R1; SRI. MAHANTESH SHETTAR., AGA FOR R2 TO R4) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO DECLARE THAT THE WALLETS MANUFACTURED BY THE PETITIONER NO.1 & SEIZED BY THE R4 FROM THE PRESMISES OF PETITIONER NO.2 ARE NOT A "PRE-PACKED COMMODITY" OR RETAIL PACKAGE" UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE LEGAL METROLOGY ACT 2009 & THE LEGAL METROLOGY [PACKAGED COMMODITIES] RULES 2011. IN WP NO. 32490/2016 BETWEEN: 1. M/S TITAN COMPANY LIMITED (FORMERLY KNOWN AS TITAN INDUSTRIES LTD.,) - 8 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS A COMPANY REGD UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT, 1956 HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT NO.3, SIPCOT INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX, HOUSR-635 126, TAMIL NADU, AND ITS CORPORATE OFFICE SITUATED AT GOLDEN ENCLAVE, TOWER-A, AIRPORT ROAD, BANGALORE - 560 017 REP BY GENERAL MANAGER LEGAL MR. RAMESH BHAT K., 2. WORLD OF TITAN STORE M/S RAMNATH RETAIL UG-16, GROUND FLOOR, CITY CENTRE MALL, MANGALORE-575 001 REPRESENTED BY ITS AUTHORISED SIGNATORY MR RAMESH BHAT K ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. UDAY SHANKAR R M.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. UNION OF INDIA THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION HAVING ITS ADDRESS AT KRISHI BHAVAN NEW DELHI-1. 2. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY SECRETARY, DEPT.OF LEGAL METROLOGY, DR AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BANGALORE-560 001. 3. THE CONTROLLER OF LEGAL METROLOGY NO.1, ALI ASKER ROAD, BANGALORE-560 052. - 9 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS 4. INSPECTOR OF LEGAL METROLOGY NO.3 3E,14-1269/9, BABU MESTRI COMPLEX, 1ST FLOOR, BIKARNAKATTE, MANGALORE-575 005. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. MADANAN PILLAI R.CGC FOR R1; SRI. MAHANTESH SHETTAR., AGA FOR R2 TO R4) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO DECLARE THE COMPOUNDING NOTICE DATED 24.03.2016 AND SUBSEQUENT REJOUNER DATED 28.05.2016 VIDE PROCEEDINGS ISSUED BYTHE R-4 PRODUCED AS ANNEXURE-A & C ARE ILLEGAL ARBITRARY AND CONTRARY TO LAW AND ETC. IN WP NO. 32246/2018 BETWEEN: TITAN COMPANY LIMITED (FORMERLY KNOWN AS TITAN INDUSTRIES LIMITED) A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER COMPANIES ACT, 1956, HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE, AT 3, SIPCOT INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX, HOSUR-635 126. AND CORPORATE OFFICE AT: "INTEGRITY", NO.193, VEERASANDRA, ELECTRONIC CIT, P.O. OFF HOSUR MAIN ROAD, BENGALURU-560 100, REPRESENTED BY ITS SR. MANAGER-LEGAL, MR. RAMESH BHAT. K ...PETITIONER (BY SRI. JOSEPH ANTHONY.,ADVOCATE) - 10 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS AND: 1. UNION OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION, KRISHI BHAVAN, NEW DELHI-110 001. 2. STATE OF KARNATAKA DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL METROLOGY, NO.1, ALI ASKER ROAD, NEAR RAJ BHAVAN, BENGALURU-560 052, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY. 3. THE CONTROLLER OF LEGAL METROLOGY NO.1, ALI ASKER ROAD, NEAR RAJ BHAVAN, BENGALURU-560 052. 4. INSPECTOR OF LEGAL METROLOGY INSPECTOR SQUAD-6, MADIKERI, APMC YARD, HOLENARASIPURA-573 211. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. SHIVAKUMAR S., ADVOCATE FOR R1; SRI. SRINIVAS KUMAR, HCGP FOR R2 TO R4) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO QUASH THE NOTICE FOR COMPOUNDING DATED MAY 21, 2018 ANNEXURE-A ISSUED BY RESPONDENT NO.4 TO THE PETITIONER; IN WP NO. 32247/2018 BETWEEN: M/S SAMAY - 11 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS A PARTNERSHIP FIRM WITH PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS AT 1ST FLOOR, SHAMEON CHAMBERS LOWER CAR STREET MANGALORE-575 001 REPRESENTED BY ITS AUTHORISED SIGNATORY MR RAMESH BHAT K. ...PETITIONER (BY SRI. JOSEPH ANTHONY.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. UNION OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION KRISHI BHAVAN NEW DELHI-110 001. 2. STATE OF KARNATAKA DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL METROLOGY NO.1 ALI ASKER ROAD NEAR RAJ BHAVAN, BENGALURU-560052 REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY. 3. THE CONTROLLER OF LEGAL METROLOGY NO.1 ALI ASKER ROAD NEAR RAJ BHAVAN, BENGALURU-560 052. 4. INSPECTOR OF LEGAL METROLOGY INSPECTOR SQUAD-6, MADIKERI, APMC YARD HOLENARASIPURA-573 211. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. SHIVAKUMAR S., ADVOCATE FOR R1; SRI. SRINIVAS KUMAR, HCGP FOR R2 TO R4) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF - 12 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO QUASH THE NOTICE FOR COMPOUNDING DATED MAY 21, 2018 (ANNEXURE-A) ISSUED BY RESPONDENT NO.4 TO THE PETITIONER AND ETC. THESE PETITIONS, COMING ON FOR HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.G.S. KAMAL ORAL ORDER 1. These batch of petitions are filed being aggrieved by issuance of notices under Sections 26 and 48 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 (for short Act 2009) as well as the notices issued under the Packaged Commodities Rules, 2011 (for short Rules 2011). 2. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the commodities subject matter of the present petitions are the consumer accessories in the nature of watches, sunglasses, wallets, which according to the respondents- authorities fall within the ambit of "pre-packed packages". It is contended that issue involved in these petitions has already been dealt with by the Apex Court in the case of State Of Maharashtra And Others Vs. Subash Arjundas Katariya, reported in (2011) 9 SCC - 13 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS 670 wherein at paragraph 10, the Apex Court has held as under; "10. On careful scrutiny of the provisions referred above, it is clear that the expression “pre-packed commodity” would be applicable to commodities which are packed and the commodity packaged has a predetermined value and that value cannot be altered without the package sold being opened at the time of sale; or the product undergoes a modification on being opened. We are also of the view that Explanation I to Rule 2(l) of the Rules is not attracted because the package is not opened for the purpose of testing as in the case of electric bulbs. We fully agree that the sunglasses are tested by the buyer for his suitability, and therefore, sunglasses, whether it be a frame or glass is not a pre-packed commodity within the definition of the expression “pre-packed” under Rule 2(l) of the Rules, hence, the High Court is fully justified in quashing the notice and allowing the writ petition filed by the respondent. We also agree with the similar arguments advanced relating to other products mentioned above." 3. It is further submitted that similar issue had also come up before the High Court of Bombay in the case of Titan Industries Ltd., Mumbai Vs. Union of India, reported in AIR 2006 Bom. 336 wherein at paragraph 11, it has been held as under; "11. Coming to the facts of the present case, can it be said that the watch is a pre-packed commodity. The facts as set out earlier will indicate that the watch is removed from its package and displayed. On it being removed there is no decrease in its pre- determined value nor does it undergo a perceptible change. The explanation also will not be attracted as a watch by its very nature, does not require to be - 14 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS pre-packed. The package is only meant for the purpose of safety and/or to keep away dirt or dust. Therefore, considering the Rule and the explanation a watch cannot be said to be a pre-packed commodity. Once we so hold, the petition as filed would, have to be allowed." 4. Learned Counsel for the petitioners in W.P.No.1000/2012, W.P.No.21590/2011, W.P.No.999/2012 and W.P.No.19652/2013 submits that issue pertaining and requiring adjudication in these petitions, is seized before the Apex Court and the matters are referred to a larger Bench. Therefore, seeks deferring the matters till determination by the Apex Court. However, it is submitted that there has been no stay with regard to hearing or disposing of the present matters. 5. Learned counsel for the petitioner in W.P.No.21590/2011 submits that criminal proceedings has been initiated in this matter. 6. Learned counsel for the petitioner in W.P.No.32246/2018 and W.P.No.32247/2018 submits that without even issuing the notices seizure orders have been passed. - 15 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS 7. The Apex Court in the case of Union Territory Of Ladakh And Others Vs. Jammu And Kashmir National Conference and Others1 has clarified that, mere pendency of appeals or reference to a larger bench shall not be the reason not to decide the cases. That cases shall be decided on the basis of law as it stands. 8. Learned AGA drawing attention of this Court to the provisions of Section 48 of the Act, 2009 providing for compounding of offences, submits that subject matter of these petitions even if constitute the offences punishable under the Act, same are compoundable. He also refers to Section 50 of the Act, 2009 to submit that if any decision is taken adverse to the interests of the petitioners, petitioners are always have liberty to seek alternative statutory remedy provided under the Act. He submits mere issuance of the notices would not give any locus to the petitioners to approach this Court. Therefore, seeks for rejection of the petitions. 9. Heard. Perused the records. 1 2024 18 SCC 643 - 16 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS 10. Admittedly, the respondent-authorities have issued notices calling upon the petitioners or their representatives to appear before Compounding Authority namely, Inspector of Legal Metrology for the purpose of compounding of alleged breaches committed by the petitioners punishable under Section 63 of the Act, 2009 and 6(3) of the Rule 2011. 11. Notices have also been issued pursuant to seizure orders passed by Inspector of Legal Metrology purported to have prima facie finding petitioners involved in dealing with packaged commodities. 12. Though explanations/ response/ reply to the said notices are stated to have been submitted by the petitioners, admittedly same have not been considered by the respondent-authorities, also for the reason the petitioners have rushed to this Court and have obtained interim orders. 13. Fact remains whether the commodities being dealt with by the petitioners fall within the category of "pre- - 17 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS packaged commodities" are not, is yet to be ascertained and determined by the respondent-authorities. It is only thereafter question of compounding or filing of the appeal as contended by the respondent- authority would arise. 14. It is also submitted that in some of the matters, criminal proceedings have already been launched before the jurisdictional Magistrates and interim protection which was granted by this Court is sought to be extended, till determination of the explanation, response, reply, objection filed by the petitioners before the respondent- authorities. 15. In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the matters and in the light of respondents-authorities still not having come to conclusion based on the response submitted by the petitioners, this Court deems it appropriate to dispose of these petitions, without expressing any view on the merits or otherwise of the cases with the following directions; - 18 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS (i) Respondent No.4 shall consider the representations/ response/ reply/ objections submitted by the petitioners and shall also give them an opportunity of personal hearing, personally or through their duly authorized representatives and shall pass orders keeping in mind the law laid down by the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of State of Maharashtra (Supra) as well as Titan Industries Ltd. Mumbai (Supra). (ii) Such order shall be passed within an outer limit of 6 months from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order. (iii) Petitioners are also at liberty to submit further additional statement/response/ documents if any, if so advised. (iv) Interim orders granted earlier in these matters restraining the respondent-authorities from taking any precipitative action including precipitating the - 19 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:33717 WP No. 1000 of 2012 C/W WP No. 21590 of 2011 WP No. 999 of 2012 AND 4 OTHERS criminal actions shall stand extended until passing of the orders as directed above. Sd/- (M.G.S. KAMAL) JUDGE RU, List No.: 1 Sl No.: 20