With the help of this petition made, under Article 226 of the Constitution, the petitioner, who is a betal shop owner, seeks issuance of direction to the respondents to release six Domestic L.P.G. Cylinders and Consumer pass book/card and original documents, which, according to the petitioner, belonged to the petitioner and members of his family, but were seized, on 18.01.2013, in connection with Kishanganj Police Station Case No. 24 of 2013, under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act.

2. On 18.01.2013, Block Development Officer-cum-Block Supply Officer, Kishanganj, lodged a written report and, treating the same as First Information Report, Kishanganj Police Station Case No. 24 of 2013 came to be registered, under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, not only against the petitioner but also against several other persons as accused. The case against them may, in brief, be described as under:

(i) On 18.01.2013, at about 12 noon, on the direction of Sub Divisional Officer, Kishanganj, Block Development Officer-cum-Block Supply Officer, Kishanganj, along with Inspector of Police, other Police Officer and Armed police force, jointly conducted a checking and/or raid