JUDGMENT :

ASHUTOSH KUMAR, J.

Heard Mr. Dhananjaya Nath Tiwari, the learned Advocate for the petitioner and Mr. Anisul Haque, the learned counsel for the State.

2. The petitioner has challenged the order dated 18.06.2021 passed by the Sub-Divisional Officer, Sadar, Saharsa/the Licensing Authority, whereby his license has been cancelled as also the order passed by the Appellate Authority, viz., the Collector, Saharsa, dated 31.12.2021, whereby the order passed by the Licensing Authority has been sustained.

3. It appears from the records that 48 bags of wheat were found loaded on a vehicle in front of the P.D.S. shop of one Narain Yadav. Consequently, Nauhatta (Darhaar O.P.) P.S. Case No. 47 of 2019 was registered for investigation under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 against the owner and the driver of the vehicle in question.

4. On receipt of such report, the Collector, Saharsa directed for an enquiry regarding the source from where the 48 bags of rice were purchased and further directed that all the P.D.S. shops falling in the vicinity of the place of seizure be also inspected.

5. Pursuant to the aforesaid direction of the Collector, Saharsa, the P.D.S. shop of the pet