M/S. Bhargavi Gas Agencies, v. The Chief Rationing Officer,

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE A.RAMALINGESWARA RAO WRIT PETITION No.25476 of 2017 ORDER:

Heard the learned Senior Counsel Sri Vedula Venkata Ramana for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for respondent Nos.1 and 2.

The petitioner is a retail LPG gas cylinder distributor appointed by the third respondent. The petitioner has been running the unit under Form-B licence issued by the authorities. While so, an inspection took place on 11.07.2017 and certain variations were found in the stock. A report under Section 6A of the Essential Commodities Act was submitted and the proceedings are yet to be initiated. When the licence was suspended pending enquiry by proceedings dated 25.07.2017 by the first respondent, the present Writ Petition is filed. The impugned order relates to suspension of the licence pending enquiry and the enquiry is yet to be conducted in respect of the irregularities. It is the settled law that 6A proceedings are different from the proceedings for violation of the provisions of the Control Order.

Since the first respondent is going to conduct the enquiry, this Writ Petition is disposed of directing the first respondent to complete the enquiry as expeditiously as possible, but not later than three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order by duly following the principles of natural justice. It is

needless to observe that the petitioner shall cooperate with the completion of enquiry. The miscellaneous petitions pending in this Writ Petition, if any, shall stand closed. There shall be no order as to costs.

________________________________ (A.RAMALINGESWARA RAO, J) 01.08.2017 vs