Ashok Kumar Choudhary @ Ashok Kumar v. The State of Bihar
Case brief
What is this about?
Rule 27(ii) Bihar Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order 2016; show cause notice; proposal for cancellation of licence; validity of cancellation order; sufficient opportunity / fair hearing; natural justice; Patna High Court Full Bench CWJC No. 21202 of 2021; remand for fresh show cause notice; enquiry report to be furnished with notice; proposed punishment to be specified; reasoned order; eight-week timeline; Sub-Divisional Officer-cum-Licensing Authority Danapur; TPDS licensee; CWJC No. 3323 of 2026; order dated 10.02.2025 set aside; second round of litigation; CWJC No. 9354 of 2024.
What did the court decide?
Impugned order dated 10.02.2025 of the Sub-Divisional Officer-cum-Licensing Authority, Danapur (Respondent No. 3) set aside; matter remanded for issuance of a fresh show cause notice strictly in compliance with Rule 27(ii) of the Control Order, 2016, with a copy of the enquiry report enclosed, specifying the proposed punishment, allowing reasonable time for explanation, giving an opportunity of hearing, and passing a reasoned order, the entire exercise to be completed preferably within eight weeks.