THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE GODA RAGHURAM W.P.No.6356 of 2007 29-03-2007 Between:- Easwerchand Petitioner And The Chief Rationing Officer, Twin Cities at S.P. Road, Secunderabad and three others. Respondents THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE GODA RAGHURAM W.P.No. 6356 of 2007 Oral order: Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies. The petitioner is a dealer in essential commodities having a license under the Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Commodities Dealers (Licensing and Distribution) Order, 1982 (for short ‘the Control Order, 1982). On 22-02-2007 his premises were inspected and extensive variations were noticed between the ground balance of the stocks of pulses and the balances as reflected in the stock registers. On a prima facie assumption of violation of the provisions of the Control Order, 1982, a case under Section 6A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (for short ‘the Act’) has been initiated against the petitioner. The second respondent has passed the impugned order dated 16-03-2007, suspending the license of the petitioner exercising power under Condition No.8 (1) of the Conditions of the License issued under the Control Order, 1982. Such a power the second respondent has. It is not in dispute that he is the competent authority. There is a prima facie recording of the existence of extensive variations and therefore of a misconduct in the pursuit of the licensed business. The order is merely one of suspension pending enquiry. Therefore there are no grounds justifying interference with what is merely an order of suspension pending inquiry. There are no merits. The writ petition is accordingly dismissed. As the petitioner’s license has been suspended, it is just and proper that the competent authority must conclude the substantive enquiry into the allegations that led to the impugned order of suspension pending enquiry, expeditiously. In the aforesaid circumstances, the respondents are directed to expeditiously and in any event within a period of sixty (60) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, conclude the substantive enquiry against the petitioner. The reasoned order of the competent authority shall be communicated to the petitioner within the aforesaid time. No costs. ____________________ GODA RAGHURAM, J Dated:29-03-2007 Pvks/*