IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC THURSDAY, THE 30TH SEPTEMBER 2010 / 8TH ASWINA 1932 WP(C).No. 30124 of 2010(M) --------------------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------------- MURALEEDHARAN PILLAI,S/O.N.GOPALA PILLAI, AGED 55 YEARS,PROPRIETOR, RAJI STORES,AYOOR, RESIDING AT RAJI BHAVAN, EDAMULAKKAL, EDAMULAKKAL VILLAGE, KOLLAM DISTRICT. BY ADVS. SRI. K.SIJU, SRI.S.SUDHEESHKAR, SRI.A.MUHAMMED RAFFI. RESPONDENTS: ------------------------ 1. DISTRICT COLLECTOR, KOLLAM-691031. 2. DISTRICT SUPPLY OFFICER, KOLLAM-691 031. 3. TALUK SUPPLY OFFICER, PATHANAPURAM-689 695. R1 TO R3 BY GOVT. PLEADER SRI. P. NARAYANAN. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 30/09/2010,THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: prv. ANTONY DOMINIC, J. ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````` W.P.(C) No. 30124 of 2010 M ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Dated this the 30th day of September, 2010 J U D G M E N T Petitioner states that, two consignments consisting of 144 sacks and 389 sacks of rice were seized by the respondents on 22-06-2010 from his premises and his vehicle. Thereafter, he was issued Exts.P4 and P5 show cause notices, initiating proceedings under the Essential Commodities Act. Petitioner filed his replies and he was heard by the District Collector on 18-08-2010 and 19-08-2010. It is stated that, while orders are not passed, steps are being taken for disposal of the rice seized. It is in these circumstances, this writ petition is filed. 2. Having regard to the fact that the rice in question is a perishable commodity, the respondents are empowered to dispose of such goods and if such timely action has been taken, this Court cannot find fault with the authorities. Be that as it may, having regard to the case of the petitioner that he WPC.30124/10 : 2 : was issued Exts.P4 and P5 show cause notices and that he was heard by the District Collector on 18-08-2010 and 19-08- 2010, the District Collector has to pass final orders in the matter. This, the first respondent shall do within two months from the date of production of a copy of this judgment. 3. Petitioner to produce a copy of this judgment and writ petition before the first respondent for compliance. The writ petition is disposed of as above. (ANTONY DOMINIC, JUDGE) aks