1. The petitioner was appointed directly as Sub Inspector of Police in 1979. He was promoted as Inspector of Police in 1994. While he was serving as Inspector of police, Civil Supplies C.I.D., Tirunelveli during the year 2000, he was on leave from 26.1.2000 to 01.3.2000.

2. One Thiru. Krishnamurthy, Inspector of Police Civil Supplies C.I.D., Nagercoil was in-charge of Tirunelveli unit. Thiru. K. Krishnamurthy, raided a rice mill namely Annathammal Kasi Modern Rice Mill at Karisalkulam, Kovilpatty Taluk on 18.2.2000 and seized 3,935 bags of rice from the two Godowns of the said mill. He also put seal to the Godowns from where the rice bags were seized. Further, he handed over the seized rice bags to the Taluk Supply Officer, Kovilpatty.

3. The petitioner, after the expiry of the leave continued with the investigation. He submitted a report dated 20.03.2000 to the District Collector, Thoothukudi to confiscate the tender rice handed over to Taluk Supply Officer. The District Collector is the competent authority to confiscate rice. But no order was passed by the District Collector for confiscation of rice as contemplated under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.