Veerprabhu Marketing Limited And ANR v. Union Of India And ANR.

D/L 34 12.08.2025 Court No.14 PRADIP

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION WPA 3251 of 2025 Veerprabhu Marketing Limited & Anr.

Vs.

Union of India & Anr.

Mr. Siddhartha Banerjee Mr. Nirmalya Dasgupta Mr. Arka Chandra Roy ...for the Petitioners.

Mr. Saptarshi Dutt ...for the Respondent no.2.

1. The petitioners have certain issues with the Food Corporation of India.

2. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution constituted a neutral Committee for redressal of the grievances way back in the year 202122. It is alleged that the Committee is yet to take a decision on the grievance of the petitioners.

3. Several representations were made by the petitioners praying for hearing before the neutral Committee. None has been redressed.

4. None represents the Union of India.

5. Learned advocate representing the Food Corporation of India submits that the Committee was constituted but is not aware as to whether the grievance of the petitioners has been redressed or not.

6. In the absence of the Union of India, the Court is not in a position to decide the issue conclusively.

7. In view of the above, the instant writ petition is disposed of by directing the Secretary, Department of Food and

Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs to take into consideration the prayer of the petitioners for redressal of its grievances by the neutral Committee at the earliest but positively within a period of four months from the date of communication of this order.

8. An opportunity of hearing shall be provided to the petitioners for production of all documents in support of its claim.

9. A reasoned order shall be passed by the authority and communicated to the petitioners immediately thereafter.

10. It is made clear that this Court has not entered into the merits of the claim of the petitioners and all points are left open to be decided by the Committee after hearing the parties.

11. Learned advocate for the petitioners is directed to forward all documents in support of its claim to the aforesaid respondent at the time of communicating the order of the Court.

12. The writ petition stands disposed of.

13. Urgent photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties upon compliance of all the requisite formalities.

(Amrita Sinha, J.)