SANTANU MEDHI Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeks quashing of order dated 4.4.2013 issued by the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Biswanath Chariali cancelling the fair price shop licence of the petitioner. Petitioner further seeks a direction to the respondents to allow him to operate his fair price shop as earlier. Case of the petitioner is that he was running a fair price shop at Bamgaon, Biswanath Chariali under Licence No. BFS-12/98/FP/27. The fair price shop run by the petitioner on the strength of the aforesaid licence is his only source of livelihood.

(2.) According to the petitioner, he has been operating his fair price shop in conformity with the legal requirements, maintaining cordial relation with his consumers.

(3.) On 13.3.2013, Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Biswanath Chariali (Respondent No. 3) alongwith some officials of Food and Civil Supplies Department, including respondent No. 4, made a sudden visit to the fair price shop of the petitioner while he was not present. However, on receipt of information about the aforesaid visit, petitioner rushed back to his shop. The officials inspected the stock and sales book and left thereafter.