JITENDRAKUMAR DASHRATHLAL PATEL Vs. STATE OF GUJARAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In the present petition, the petitioner has challenged an order dated 20th September 1996 passed by the District Collector, Ahmedabad as upheld by the State Government by an order dated 30th March 1998.

(2.) The petitioner was dealing in essential commodities with necessary licence in this regard. Regarding certain alleged irregularities detected in his rice and flour mill, a show cause notice came to be issued on 27.03.96. Though there were as many as six different irregularities alleged against the petitioner, in the eventual order the Collector confined to confiscation of 968.12 kgs of rice which the petitioner should have deposited with the Government by way of compulsory levy.

(3.) The show cause notice alleged that from April 1995, the petitioner was required to deposit a total quantity of 968.12 kgs of rice with the Government which the petitioner failed to do. The petitioner replied to the show cause notice by his representation dated 23.07.96.