( 1 ) IN this application, the petitioner challenges certain proceedings sought to be initiated by a notice under the Gold (Control) Act, 1968 (hereinafter referred to as the Act ). The facts leading to the present application may be briefly noted.

( 2 ) ON the 11th July, 1973, a search was made at the premises of Joy Krishna Saha and Charu Bala Saha who are related to each other as man and wife. In course of the search 226 pieces of gold sovereigns and a sum of Rs. 90,000 were seized. Statements were also recorded from both the petitioners. The statements of both the petitioners were almost identical. The gold sovereigns, according to them, were given to Charu Bala Saha by the father of her husband Joy Krishna Saha. The father of the husband died in the year 1956. They could not definitely say when this gift was made by the late father of the petitioner No. 1. Certain statements were made with regard to the cash but we are not concerned with that in the present application.

( 3 ) THE only other fact that need be noticed in this connection is an allegation in paragraph 4 of the petition which is as follows:"the ornaments belonging to your petitioner No. 2 were, ho