Section 31: Power to cancel or suspend licence, etc

(1) Subject to such restrictions as may be prescribed, the authority granting any licence or permit under this Act, may cancel or suspend it, ¹[irrespective of the period to which the licence or permit relates],-

(a) if any duty or fee is payable by the holder thereof is not duly paid; or

(b) in the event of any breach by the holder thereof, or by any of his servants or by any one acting on his behalf with his express or implied permission, of any of the terms and conditions thereof; or

(c) if the holder thereof or any of his servants or any one acting on his behalf with his express or implied permission, is convicted of any offence under this Act; or

(d) if the holder thereof is convicted of any cognizable and non-bailable offence or of any offence under ²[the Narcotic, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985] or under the Medicinal and Toilet Preparations (Excise duties) Act, 1955, or under the Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958, or under section 481, section 482, section 483, section 484, section 486, section 487, section 488, or section 489 of the Indian Penal Code or any offence punishable under section 112 or section 114 of the ²[Customs Act, 1962 irrespective of the fact whether such conviction relates to the period earlier or subsequent to the grant of licence or permit; or]

(e) If the conditions of the licence or permit provide for such cancellation or suspension at will:

Provided that no licence or permit shall be cancelled or suspend unless the holder thereof is given an opportunity of making his representation against the action proposed.

(2) Where a licence or permit held by any person is cancelled under clause (a), clause (b), clause (c), or clause (d) of sub-section (1), the authority aforesaid may cancel any other licence granted or permit issued to such persons under this Act or under the Opium Act, 1878.

(3) The holder of a licence or permit shall not be entitled to any compensation for its cancellation or suspension nor to the refund of any fee paid or deposit made in respect thereof.