Excise licence cancellation upheld where seizure and surrounding circumstances supported findings of illicit liquor activity.

A challenge to cancellation of an excise licence failed where the search yielded incriminating material showing involvement in illicit liquor activity. The Court accepted the authorities' factual finding that the petitioner was engaged in unlawful trading and manufacturing of illicit liquor, and held that the legality of the search and alleged denial of defence opportunity did not warrant interference on these facts. As the seizure and surrounding circumstances supported the administrative conclusion, the impugned orders were upheld and no relief was granted.

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Issues: Whether the cancellation of the excise licence and the appellate order could be interfered with on the ground that the search was illegal and no opportunity of defence was afforded, despite recovery of incriminating material indicating involvement in illicit liquor .

Analysis: In the search, incriminating material was recovered, including goods indicating illegal liquor activity, and the record supported the finding that the petitioner was engaged in unlawful trading and manufacturing of illicit liquor. The challenge to the validity of the search was not accepted in the facts of the case, and the Court found no basis to disturb the orders of the authorities below once the seizure and surrounding circumstances disclosed illegal activity. The authorities' conclusion was accordingly sustained.

Conclusion: The challenge failed and the impugned orders were upheld; no relief was granted to the petitioner.

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