(1.) Heard Mr. Nawal Kishore Agrawal, the learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr. Jharkhandi Upadhyay, the learned A.P.R Incharge for the State.
(2.) The petitioners are aggrieved by order dated 23.9.2005 passed by the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, West Champaran at Bettiah in Lauria RS. Case No. 97 of 2003 whereby and whereunder cognizance has been taken under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act (here-inafter referred to as the E.C. Act).
(3.) It appears that the Crime Investigation (Food) Department, Bihar led by CID of Food conducted inquiries in the shops of the petitioners with regard to irregularities concerning the allotment and distribution of foodgrains for red card holders attached to the shops of the petitioners and in this regard the petitioner Most. Girdhari Kuar is said to have misappropriated 66.38 quintals wheat and 32.63 quintals of rice worth Rs. 18,914/- and Rs. 13,052/- respectively, the petitioner Ghuran Ram is said to have misappropriated 27.2 quintals of wheat and 13.81 quintals of rice worth Rs. 8,106/- and Rs. 5,524/- respectively, the petitioner Ramanand is said to have misappropriated 61.19 quintals of wheat and 37.86 quintals of rice worth Rs. 18,357/- and Rs. 15,104/- respectively and the petitioner Md. Ziyaullah is said to have misappropriated 220.63 quintals of wheat and 6.1.78 quintals of rice worth Rs. 66,669/- and 24,712/- respectively.