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1964 DIGILAW 79 (MAD)

Untitled judgment

1964-02-17

P.KUNHAMED KUTTI

body1964
Order:- The petitioner was charged for an offence under section 282 of the City Municipal Act and on conviction the learned Fifth Presidency Magistrate Egmore, sentenced him with a fine of Rs. 150 and in default to simple imprisonment for one month. Section 282(1) of the City Municipal Act is to the effect that: “the owner or occupier of any stable, veterinary infirmary, stand, shed, yard or other place in which quadrupeds are kept or taken in for purposes of profit shall apply to the Commissioner for a licence not less than forty-five and not more than ninety days before the opening of such place or the commencement of the year for which the licence is sought to be renewed as the case may be”. The case against the petitioner was that he was running an automobile repair shop at 26-A, Graemes Road, without a licence, and this according to the Trial Magistrate, was an offence under section 282 punishable under section 357 of the City Municipal Act. I have quoted the relevant section in full to show that it does not at all deal with keeping shops for repairing motor vehicles, nor has that question "been considered by the learned Magistrate. If considered, the learned Magistrate would on the language of the section have found that it does not apply to such repair shops. The conviction of the petitioner under section 282 read with section 357 of the City Municipal Act for having kept an automobile repair shop without a licence is thus obviously wrong and the same has to be set aside. This petition has therefore to be and is allowed and the conviction of the petitioner is set aside. The fine if collected will be refunded to the petitioner. K.L.B. ------- Petition allowed.