KANAIYALAL MOHANLAL SHAH Vs. STATE OF GUJARAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard the learned advocates appearing for the parties.

(2.) In the present petition, the petitioner has challenged an order dated 1st June 1995 passed by the Collector, Kheda as modified by an appellate order dated 29th June 1996 passed by the Joint Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies Department, Government of Gujarat.

(3.) The petitioner was running a shop for selling pulses and food-grains. He had necessary licence for the said purpose. It appears that upon inspection on 23rd April 1995, there were certain irregularities detected in the stock register maintained by the petitioner. A show cause notice, therefore, came to be issued pointing out the alleged defects. The petitioner replied to the show cause notice and denied the allegations. The Collector by his order dated 1st June 995,however, found that the petitioner had committed certain irregularities in maintenance of stock register. He, therefore, directed confiscation of the entire stock of wheat and paddy not found reflected in the register, total cost of which was valued at Rs.74,308/-.