Page No.# 1/4 GAHC040005192026 THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH) (ITANAGAR BENCH) Case No. : WP(C)/163/2026 Smti Aptu Gumsar Sorum Wife of Shri Neero Gumsar, resident of Nirjuli, PO and PS Nirjuli, Papum Pare District, Arunachal Pradesh. VERSUS The State of AP and 2 Ors represented by the Chief Secretary, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar. 2:The Commissioner (Home) Age: 0 Occupation : Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 3:The Deputy Commissioner Age: 0 Occupation : Itanagar Capital Complex Itanagar Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar Advocate for the Petitioner : Duge Soki, Tokdak Tamin Advocate for the Respondent : GA (AP), -BEFORE- HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE BUDI HABUNG ORDER Page No.# 2/4 11.05.2026 Heard Mr. D. Soki, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. S. Tapin, learned Senior Government Advocate appearing for all the respondents. 2. By filing this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioner has challenged the impugned order dated 09.03.2026, issued by the respondent No. 3/ the Deputy Commissioner, Capital, Itanagar, whereby, it has been directed that weekly market in the Itanagar Capital Region shall be operated only on Saturday in terms of the Government decision dated 06.03.2026. 3. The grievance of the petitioner is that earlier by issuing the Trading License dated 04.08.2017 issued by the Member Secretary, APMC Itanagar Capital Complex, Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Naharlagun, the petitioner was granted permission to operate a weekly market at Nirjuli, Near Dikrong Bridge (right side) on Tuesday. However, by the impugned order dated 09.03.2026 issued by the respondent No. 3/ the Deputy Commissioner, Itanagar Capital Complex, Itanagar, the conduct of the weekly market in the Itanagar Capital Region has been restricted to Saturday only. The aforesaid impugned order has been assailed on the ground that it has been issued without affording any opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. 4. Mr. Tapin, learned Senior Government Advocate fairly contended that no opportunity of hearing was afforded to the petitioner prior to issuance of the impugned order dated 09.03.2026. However, he contended that no Page No.# 3/4 prejudice has been caused to the petitioner inasmuch as, he can operate the weekly market on Saturday instead of Tuesday. 5. Mr. Soki, learned counsel for the petitioner, however, submits that no such option has been provided to the petitioner in the impugned order dated 09.03.2026 issued by the respondent No. 3 viz. The Deputy Commissioner, Capital, Itanagar. Rather, the Superintendent of Police and the Administrative officers have been directed to ensure the operation of Weekly Market only on Saturday. Thus, the petitioner has been adversely affected by the issuance of the impugned order without being heard, therefore, violated the principles of natural justice. 6. Having considered the submission of the learned counsel for the parties and in view of the admitted position that the impugned order dated 09.03.2026 has been issued by the respondent No. 3/the Deputy Commissioner, Capital, Itanagar without affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, this Court is of the view that the same cannot be sustained being in violation of the principles of natural justice. 7. Accordingly, the impugned order dated 09.03.2026 issued by the respondent No. 3 viz. The Deputy Commissioner, Capital, Itanagar insofar as it affects the petitioner, is set aside. 8. However, the Deputy Commissioner, Capital, Itanagar is at liberty to pass a fresh order in accordance with law, after affording due opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and considering all relevant aspects. 9. It is made clear that till such fresh decision is taken, the petitioner Page No.# 4/4 shall be permitted to continue operating the weekly market in terms of the earlier order dated 06.03.2026, subject to compliance of applicable SOPs. With the above observations, this writ petition stands disposed of. JUDGE Comparing Assistant