( 1 ) THE petitioner-detenu has filed the present petition against the impugned order of detention passed against him by the District Magistrate Bhavnagar on 2-6-1988 under the provisions of the Prevention of Blackmarketing and Maintenance of Supply of Essential Commodities Act 1980 The petitioner was served with the order as also ground of detention on the same day i. e. 2-6-1988.

( 2 ) ON persual of the grounds it appears that the present petitioner was managing the fair price shop in Bhavnagar locality of Bhavnagar City which was standing in the name of Jikarbhai Ahmedbhai Saiyed. On 5-5-1988 the Supply Inspector made a surprise visit to the said shop and inspected the same. During the inspection it was found that the opening stock of pamolene oil in the stock register was shown as six barrels i. e. 1140 kgs. while in the presence of Panchas when it was ascertained it was found that the stock was of 760 ks. i. e. only four barrels and therefore there was a deficit of 380 kgs. i. e. two barrels of pamolene. Before the Supply Inspector the petitioner had stated that he had taken the stock of six barrels from the godown of the Corporation but the remaining two barr