VEENA DEVI Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) All these writ petitions raise a common question of law and seek the same relief(s) on behalf of the respective petitioners. These cases were, therefore, heard together and are being disposed of by this common judgment.

(2.) The petitioners in all the five writ petitions are wholesale kerosene dealers. They hold dealerships from different petrol companies and carry on their business on the basis of wholesale kerosene dealer's licences issued under the provisions of the Bihar Trade Articles (Licenses Unification) Order, 1984 (hereinafter referred to as the Unification Order), They are aggrieved by the direction for cancellation of their licences issued by the Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Food, Supplies and Commerce, Government of Bihar under his circular letter No. 3281, dated 6-8-2002 (Annexure-8 in C. W.J.C. 9944 of 2002). It is contended on behalf of the petitioners that the direction issued by the Commissioner, Food, Supplies and Commerce is illegal and invalid and cannot form the basis for cancellation of their statutory licences issued under the Unification Order.

(3.) The material facts that are beyond any controversy are brief and can be stated thus.