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Issues involved: Interpretation of lease clause regarding assignment, challenge to government's letter alleging breach of lease covenant.
Interpretation of lease clause: The lease agreement between the writ petitioner company and the State of West Bengal contained a crucial clause (2(8)) prohibiting the lessee from assigning or transferring the demised land without prior written permission from the government. The clause also outlined the process for valuation and pre-emption rights in case of transfer. Government's notification and letter: The Government of West Bengal issued a notification in 2008 offering post facto permission for lease transfers upon payment of a penalty. Subsequently, in 2009, the government sent a letter to the writ petitioner company alleging a breach of the lease clause due to changes in shareholding, demanding payment of the penalty mentioned in the notification. Arguments and decision: The government contended that the change in shareholding constituted an assignment of the lease, while the writ petitioner argued that the lease was with the company, not its shareholders. The judge referenced legal precedents establishing the separate legal entity of a company from its shareholders. The judge ruled that without explicit transfer or assignment by the company, a mere change in shareholding did not amount to a breach of the lease clause. The judge declared the government's allegations unfounded and restrained them from taking any action based on the letter. Conclusion: The judgment allowed the writ application to the extent of rejecting the government's claims, but left open the possibility for the government to pursue appropriate legal action if they believed there was a breach of the lease covenant. The judgment emphasized that any future action should be based solely on the allegations in the 2009 letter and not extend beyond that scope.
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