NAGAR RICE & FLOUR MIILLS & ORS. vs N. TEEKAPPA GOWDA & BROS. & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that under Section 8(3)(c) of the Rice Milling Industry (Regulation) Act, 1958, prior permission from the Central Government is required for changing the location of a rice mill. However, the Court found that the failure to obtain such permission does not grant competitors the right to prevent the appellants from conducting their business, as the appellants had complied with statutory requirements. The Court ruled that the objections raised by the respondents did not establish a locus standi, as no vested rights were infringed, and the considerations under Section 5(4) apply only to new or defunct mills, not to existing ones.