1. The petitioner is a company engaged in manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs, medicines and pharmaceutical products. It has its manufacturing unit in West Bengal where it holds a licence to manufacture drugs for sale issued by the Director of Drugs Control, West Bengal. The petitioner has its sale out-let(s) in this State and it holds a licence to sell, stock or exhibit or offer for sale or distribute drugs issued by the Regional Licensing Authority inthis State. The licence permits the petitioner to sell, stock etc. 51 different items indicatedin the licence.

2. This writ petition is filed challenging the order passed by the licensing authority (the Regional Licensing Officer, Drugs Control Administration, Patna Division, Patna) under his memo No. 674, dated 20-5-2003 (Annexure 4) cancelling the licence issued to the petitioner. The cancellation order is passed in exercise of power under Rule 66 of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

3. The petitioner was given a show cause notice, dated 12-4-2003 (Annexure 3) with regard to certain irregularities found in course of an inspection of its business premises on that date. The irregularities in regard to which the petit