THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE GOPALA KRISHNA TAMADA WRIT PETITION NO :23884 of 2009 DATED: 05-11-2009 Between: Kommarapu Rajaratnam. ..... PETITIONER And The Joint Collector, Srikakulam District & 2 others. .....RESPONDENTS ORDER: Petitioner is a Fair Price shop dealer of Jadapeta village, L.N.Peta mandal, Srikakulam District and the 2nd respondent- Revenue Divisional Officer, Srikakulam District by his proceedings, dated 28-08-2009, suspended his authorization on the ground that he has committed certain irregularities in distribution of the essential commodities. Questioning the said order of suspension, petitioner approached the appellate authority-1st respondent-Joint Collector, Srikakulam and filed an appeal and also an application seeking suspension of the said order. However, the 1st respondent refused to grant stay of all further proceedings. Hence, the petitioner approached this Court and filed the present Writ Petition. 2. Heard learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies appearing for the respondents. 3. The main contention of the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner is that the said order of suspension is on the basis of the report furnished by the 3rd respondent-Tahsildar, L.N.Peta mandal and the 2nd respondent-Revenue Divisional Officer, before passing such an order, had not put the petitioner on notice and thus it is violative of the principles of natural justice. 4. I cannot accept the said contention. It is a mere suspension pending enquiry. For issuance of an order of suspension, it is not necessary for the authorities to issue any show cause notice. Further in a catena of decisions, it has been held that suspension pending enquiry cannot be treated as a punishment. As the enquiry is contemplated, petitioner is hereby directed to offer his explanation to the 2nd respondent-Revenue Divisional Officer within a period of two weeks and thereafter, the Revenue Divisional Officer shall consider the said explanation and pass necessary orders within a period of four weeks, failing which the Revenue Divisional Officer shall restore the authorization and permit the petitioner to distribute the scheduled commodities during the pendency of the said enquiry. 5. Accordingly, Writ Petition is disposed of at the stage of admission. There shall be no order as to costs. _______________________ T.GOPALAKRISHNA,J 05th November, 2009. Note: Issue C.C. of the order within three days. B/o Tsy