1 2026:CGHC:20637 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPC No. 2172 of 2026 Mini Mata Women Self Help Group- Korbi, Through President Krishna Devi W/o Late Jal Singh Aged About 36 Years, President of Mini Mata Women Self Help Group- Korbi R/o Village- Korbi, Tahsil- Hardibazar Distt- Korba (C.G.) ... Petitioner(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through- The Secretary, Department of Food and Civil Supply Mahanadi Bhawan New Raipur Distt- Raipur (C.G.) 2 - The Collector (Food Department) Korba Distt- Korba (C.G.) 3 - The Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue) Pali, Distt- Korba (C.G.) 4 - The Assistant Food Officer Kathghora Distt- Korba (C.G.) 5 - President of Sakhi Women Self Help Group Korbi/ Operator Of Govt. Faire Price Shop- Mudapar I.D No. 552004073 R/o Village Korbi, Tahsil- Hardibazar, Distt- Korba (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) SHYNA AJAY Digitally signed by SHYNA AJAY Date: 2026.05.05 11:12:41 +0530 2 (Cause Title downloaded from CIS Periphery) For Petitioner(s) : Mr. AN Pandey, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Mr. Shobhit Mishra, Dy. GA S B: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad Order on Board 04/05/2026 1. By way of this petition, the petitioner has prayed for the following reliefs : 10.1 That, this Hon'ble court may kindly be pleased to set aside of the entire subsequent proceeding initiated by the respondent no.3 against the petitioner in pursuance of show cause notice issued on 13.3.2026 ANNEXURE P/9 10.2 Any other relief or reliefs may also be granted to the petitioners which this Hon'ble court deems fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case. 2. Mr. AN Pandey, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that a show cause notice dated 13.3.2026 has been issued by the SDO (Revenue), Pali, Korba (CG) against the Petitioner-Society. The notice states that upon a surprise physical verification, a deficit of rice, sugar and gram was found in the Fair Price Shop of the 3 petitioner-Society. It was further alleged that the petitioner has misappropriated the aforesaid commodities; consequently, the notice was issued to show cause as to why appropriate proceedings under the provisions of the Chhattisgarh Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2016 and Section 3/7 of the Essential Commodities Act, should not be initiated against the petitioner-Society and an FIR be lodged against it. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the shop in question has already been handed over to respondent No.5; as such, the show cause notice is not in accordance with law. 4. Per contra, Mr. Shobhit Mishra, Dy. GA, learned counsel for the State submits that since the show cause notice has been received, the petitioner may file a reply by placing all these facts before the concerned authorities. 5. Heard learned counsel for the parties and also perused the documents annexed with the petition carefully. 6. Considering the above aspects of the matter, without entering into the merits of the case, the petitioner is directed to file a reply to the show cause notice received by it, before the concerned authority. In turn, the concerned authority is directed to consider the same and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law after affording a due opportunity of hearing and verifying whether the shop is still with the petitioner or not. 7. Furthermore, it is observed that the opportunity of hearing includes the supply of necessary documents to the petitioner. The 4 authorities concerned are under an obligation to supply all relevant documents to the petitioner to enable it to file an effective reply. The petitioner-Society is directed to enter an appearance before the concerned authority within a week and obtain the relevant documents and shall file its reply within 15 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Subsequently, the concerned authorities are directed to decide the matter within a further period of 45 days. 8. With the aforesaid observations/directions, the Petition is disposed of. Sd/- (Amitendra Kishore Prasad) Judge Shyna Ajay