High Court defers lease renewal issue to Civil Court. Commercial Tax Dept involvement instructed. Status quo maintained pending Civil Court decision.

The High Court refrained from deciding on the lease renewal issue, deferring to the Civil Court where the matter is pending. The petitioner was instructed to involve the Commercial Tax Department in the ongoing suit for relief. The status quo on the petitioner's registration was preserved until the Civil Court's determination. The Commercial Tax Department was allowed to pursue tax recovery actions against the property owners.

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Issues:
Challenge to notice requiring fresh lease agreement for business continuation.

Analysis:
The writ petition challenges a notice from the second respondent dated 11.06.2019, requesting the petitioner to provide a fresh lease agreement to continue their business. The property in question, located in Pondicherry, was leased to the Indian Oil Corporation, who then granted distributorship to the petitioner to operate a petroleum outlet. The lease expired on 23.06.2019, and the second respondent demanded a new lease agreement, threatening cancellation of registration if not provided. The petitioner argued that the Commercial Tax Department erred in directing the Indian Oil Corporation not to renew the lease due to tax attachment on the property. The Indian Oil Corporation had filed a civil suit seeking lease extension, which is pending. The High Court noted that the issue of lease renewal is before the Civil Court and refrained from expressing any opinion on the matter. It directed the Indian Oil Corporation to include the Commercial Tax Department as a party in the pending suit and seek appropriate relief. The High Court ordered the maintenance of status quo on the petitioner's registration until the Civil Court decides on the matter. The Commercial Tax Department was allowed to continue tax recovery proceedings against the property owners.

In summary, the High Court refrained from deciding on the lease renewal issue, as it is pending before the Civil Court. The petitioner was directed to include the Commercial Tax Department in the ongoing suit and seek relief. The status quo on the petitioner's registration was maintained until the Civil Court's decision. The Commercial Tax Department was permitted to proceed with tax recovery actions against the property owners.

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