S.Pushpanathan v. The Commissioner Food Safety And Standards
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 09.03.2023
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and WMP.No.7250 of 2023 S.Pushpanathan
...Petitioner
Vs.
1.
The Commissioner Food Safety & Standards, Food Business Licensing & Registration Regulation, Chennai - 600 006.
2.
The Designation Officer, Department of Food Safety & Drug Administration, Salem District.
3.
The Inspector of Police, Kannankurichi Police Station, Salem District.
...Respondents
Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the 2nd respondent in Na.Ka.No.2697/A1/VuPaThaSa/2022-23 dated 26.12.2022 and quash the same.
For Petitioner : Mr.B.Gopalakrishnan For Respondents : Mr.E.Veda Bagath Singh, Spl.GP 1/7
O R D E R
The petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records of the 2nd respondent in respect of the proceedings bearing Na.Ka.No.2697/A1/VuPaThaSa/2022-23 dated 26.12.2022 and quash the same.
2. Mr.E.Veda Bagath Singh, learned Special Government Pleader takes notice for the respondents. In view of the consent expressed by the Learned counsel appearing for either side, this petition is taken up for final disposal.
3. The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner is running a provisional store in the name and style of "Omsakthi Maligai" for the past several years without any violation. While so, on 16.12.2022, the 3rd respondent has registered a false case against the petitioner in Crime No.952 /2022 for the offences under Section 77 of the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children)Act 2015 and Section 6(a), 6(b) & 24(1) of Cigarette & other Tobacco products Act 2003 on the ground that the petitioner was in 2/7
possession and selling banned Hannes and Cool Lips to the students. Thereafter, the 2nd respondent passed the present impugned order dated 26.12.2022 bearing Na.Ka.No.2697/A1/VuPaThaSa/2022-23, without affording an opportunity to the petitioner to canvass his grievances and subsequently sealed the petitioner's shop. Aggrieved by the above said order, the petitioner preferred an appeal before the 1st respondent. however, till date no orders have been passed on the same. Hence, the petitioner has came up with this Writ petition challenging the order of the 2nd respondent dated 26.12.2022.
4. Heard learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.
5. Though the petitioner has filed this Writ petition, seeking to set aside the order passed by the 2nd respondent bearing Na.Ka.No.2697/A1/ VuPaThaSa/2022-23, dated 26.12.2022, however, when this Court expressed its opinion that, as against the order of the 2nd respondent dated 26.12.2022, when the petitioner has already preferred an appeal before the 1st respondent, once again, filing this Writ petition challenging the very 3/7
same order, without awaiting for the orders from the 1st respondent is not sustainable, learned counsel for the petitioner restricted the prayer and sought for direction of this Court to direct the 1st respondent to dispose of the appeal filed by the petitioner as expeditiously as possible.
6. In view of above, this Court without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case and without interfering with the order impugned in this Writ petition, issues direction to the petitioner to send a copy of the said appeal to the 1st respondent within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Upon receipt of the said appeal, the 1st respondent shall dispose of the same within a period of four weeks thereafter, after affording an opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner and aggrieved persons, if any.
7. With the above observations and directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous petition is closed.
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skt Speaking Order : Yes/ No Index : Yes/ No To 1.
The Commissioner Food Safety & Standards, Food Business Licensing & Registration Regulation, Chennai - 600 006.
2.
The Designation Officer, Department of Food Safety & Drug Administration, Salem District.
3.
The Inspector of Police, Kannankurichi Police Station, Salem District 5/7
M.DHANDAPANI,J.
skt and WMP.No.7250 of 2023 6/7
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