(1.) HEARD the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate.
(2.) THE petitioner is said to be running a fair price depot under the authorisation of Respondent No. 3. The authorisation pertains to Huvinahalli Village in Hungund Taluk, Bagalkot District. In addition to this, he was authorised to distribute essential commodities under the Food Control Order in respect of two additional villages, namely Ramathal and Mullur. It is alleged that there were certain irregularities which were discovered in the distribution of goods to card holders by the petitioner in respect of Mullur village. Respondent No. 3 had immediately issued a show cause notice calling upon the petitioner to show cause as to why his licence in respect of Mullur ought not to be suspended. However, on considering the circumstance that the petitioner had made a voluntary statement admitting irregularities, the authority had proceeded to cancel the entire authorisation pertaining to all the three villages aforesaid. On an appeal against the order withdrawing the authorisation, the Appellate Authority - Respondent No. 2 is said to have confirmed the order passed by Respondent No. 3 mechanically. It is in this background that the present petition is filed.