SSK/ 1 WP.2780.11 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 2780 OF 2011 Shri Ragavji Nanshi Thakkar ....Petitioner Versus The Controller of Rationing & Director of Civil Supply & Ors. ...Respondents Mrs. Poonam P. Bhosale, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. A.I.Patel, AGP for respondents. CORAM : RANJIT MORE, J. DATED : 8TH APRIL, 2011. P.C.: Heard Mrs. Bhosale, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. Patel, learned AGP for the respondents. 2. By an order dated 19th March, 2011, the second respondent suspended the licence of the petitioner’s A.R.S. Shop No.42-G-108. Against this order, the petitioner has filed an appeal before the Hon’ble Minister along with an application for stay. It is the grievance of the petitioner that in view of the ensuing Assembly Session, the Hon’ble Minister is not available, and therefore, he has approached this Court. SSK/ 2 WP.2780.11 3. It is the case of the petitioner that the respondent no.1 issued a Show Cause Notice against the Petitioner. The petitioner gave reply to the respondent no.1. However, the suspension order is passed by the respondent no.2. In this order, there is no reference about the notice given by the respondent no.1 and the reply submitted by the petitioner to the said notice. Be that as it may, prima-faice there appears to be substance in the contention of the petitioner that principles of natural justice are not followed. In that view of the matter, I am of the opinion that the petition can conveniently be disposed of by passing the following order: 1. The Minister-Food and Civil Supply is directed to hear the petitioner’s appeal filed on 6th April, 2011 as expeditiously as possible and in any case within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of this order. 2. During the pendency and final disposal of the appeal, the effect, operation and implementation of the order dated 19th March, 2011 passed by respondent no.2 suspending the licence of the petitioner’s A.R.S. Shop No.42-G-108 shall remain stayed. SSK/ 3 WP.2780.11 3. In the event of passing of any adverse order by the Hon’ble Minister in the aforesaid appeal, the same shall not be given effect for a period of two weeks from the date of communication of the same to the petitioner. 4. Needless to mention, that the Hon’ble Minister shall decide the petitioner’s appeal independently on its own merits and without being influenced by this order. All points and contentions are expressly kept open. In the light of the above order, the petition is disposed of. (RANJIT MORE, J.)