Harilal Debnath and 20 Ors v. The Assam Pharmacy Council and 5 Ors

ORDER

20.05.2024

¶1Heard Mr. S. Sarma, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr. D. Upamanyu, learned Standing Counsel, Health Department.

¶2Having regard to the projection made by the petitioners and the fact that this is a covered case, the writ petition is taken up for disposal at the Motion stage with the consent of the parties.

¶3The petitioners, who are in 21 in numbers have filed the instant writ petition challenging the cancellation notice issued to each of them under Section 36(1)(i) of the Pharmacy Act, 1948 (Pharmacy Act). According to the petitioners for failure on their part to submit relevant documents justifying their qualification and their eligibility to be registered as Pharmacist, the cancellation notice was issued after a decision was taken to that effect by the Executive Committee in it's resolution (6) dated 17.06.2022 and thereafter confirmed by the State Counsel under Section 36(3) of the Pharmacy Act on 20.01.2023.

¶4Mr. S. Sarma, the learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the date on which the licence of the petitioners were cancelled are as follows :

(a) The licence of the petitioner nos.1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 11, 15, 16 & 18 were Page No.# 9/10 cancelled on 01.06.2023, while the licence of the petitioner nos.3, 14 & 19 were cancelled on 29.05.2023.

(b) The licence of the petitioner nos.7 & 10 were cancelled on

09.06.2023 and that of the petitioner no.8 on 28.04.2023.

(c) The licence of the petitioner no.9 was cancelled on 12.06.2023 and that of the petitioner no.13 on 02.06.2023.

(d) The licence of the petitioner nos.12, 20 & 21 were cancelled on

31.05.2023.

(e) The licence of the petitioner no.17 was cancelled on 11.06.2023.

¶5The learned counsel submits that since the petitioners were not furnished with a copy of the Resolution taken by the Executive Committee, they are not in a position to file an appeal in terms of Section 36(4) of the Pharmacy Act. This Court in a case of similar nature in WP(C) No.1543/2024 upon having regard to the direction passed by the Writ Appellate Court vide order dated 24.11.2023 in WA No.413/2023 disposed of the said writ petition vide order dated 18.03.2024 by allowing the petitioners therein to file an appeal before the respondent authority concerned after being given a copy of the resolution passed by the Executive Committee. The learned counsel for the petitioners therefore submits that as similar direction can be passed in the instant case.

¶6Mr. D. Upamanyu, learned Standing Counsel, Health Department agrees to the submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioners.

¶7In view of the above, since an alternative remedy by way of an Appeal under Section 36(4) of the Pharmacy Act is available, the instant writ petition is disposed of with the following directions :- I. The petitioners within a period of ten days from today shall submit a copy of the order passed by this Court today along with a copy of the writ petition to Page No.# 10/10 the respondent No.1. II. The respondent No. 1 within a period of two weeks thereafter shall provide a copy of the Executive Committee Resolution to the petitioners, whereby the decision to remove the name of the petitioners from the roll of the council was taken and a copy of the decision/confirmation made by the State Council. III. Thereafter, on receipt of the copies of the resolution made by the Executive Committee and the confirmation made by the State Council, the petitioners shall be at liberty to approach the Appellate Authority within the prescribed period of time under Section 36(4) of the Act, 1948. IV. Till the Resolution of the Executive Committee and confirmation by the State Council is provided to the petitioners, the orders of cancellation of licences of the petitioners shall remain suspended. The above is also subject to the condition that the petitioners should approach the respondent No.1 for furnishing copies of the Resolution of the Executive Committee and confirmation made by the State Council, within a period of 10(ten) days from today.

JUDGE Comparing Assistant

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