V NATARAJAN Vs. DISTRICT COLLECTOR CUDDALORE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD Mr. C. Prakasam , the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and Mr. V. Manoharan , the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents.

(2.) IT is submitted by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners that 200 bags of rice, which were being transported from Kachirayapalayam to the petitioners'premises at Kambalikarankuppam , had been seized, on 21. 6. 1999, alleging that the goods had been transported with ulterior motive to carry on illicit business.

(3.) HOWEVER, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners had submitted that at the time of the filing of the writ petition, the appellate authority had not been designated, as provided under the Act. Therefore, the petitioners have come before this Court, by way of filing the present writ petition, under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. It is submitted that at present the concerned District Courts have been designated as the appellate forum, under Section 6-C of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, to hear and decide the appeals.