IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.10732 of 2009 NARENDRA PRASAD, S/O Late Radha Raman Prasad, resident of Musachak, P.S.Bairgania, District-Sitamarhi........................Petitioner. Versus 1. The State of Bihar, through Secretary, Food & Civil Supply Department, Old Secretariat, Patna. 2. The District Magistrate, Sitamarhi.................................Respondents. ----------- 4. 12.10.2009. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and counsel appearing for the State. Petitioner is aggrieved by the order passed by the Collector, Sitamarhi, dated 7.12.2008 in Confiscation Case No. 07 of 1986, whereunder he has allowed release of sale proceeds in favour of the petitioner but not with interest as according to the petitioner after his success in criminal appeal, he became entitled for grant of interest as admissible in the light of the provisions contained in Section 6-c(2 ) of the Essential Commodities Act which inter alia provides for grant of interest at reasonable rate on the sale proceeds if the owner of the seized foodgrains/ edible oil is acquitted in criminal case. Appreciating acquittal of the petitioner, order dated 07.12.2008 has already been passed by the Collector, Sitamarhi, but while passing the order, his attention could not be invited to the provision contained in Section 6-c (2) of the Essential Commodities Act which inter alia provides for grant of interest over the sale proceeds in the event of acquittal of the owner of the foodgrains/edible oil. Let the Collector, Sitamarhi, consider the request of the petitioner for payment of interest in the light of the aforesaid 2 provision and the judgment reported in 1997(2) P.L.J.R. 800 in the case of Nathuni Sah Vs. The State of Bihar and others as early as possible in any case within two months from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order. This application is, accordingly, disposed of U.K. V.N.Sinha,J)