THE HON'BLE MS JUSTICE G.ROHINI WRIT PETITION No. 15948 of 2010 Date: 07.07.2010 Between: Byri Suryanarayana ..... PETITIONER AND The Vigilance and Enforcement Officer, Srikakulam, Srikakulam District and 2 others .....RESPONDENTS The Court made the following:- THE HON'BLE MS JUSTICE G.ROHINI WRIT PETITION No. 15948 of 2010 O R D E R : The petitioner claims to be an agriculturist who also runs a groundnut mill in Byri village. On 17.06.2010 the 1st respondent having inspected the mill, seized the entire stock available in the premises, alleging that the petitioner was carrying on business without any license. Pursuant thereto, proceedings have been initiated for confiscation of the seized stock under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (for short, ‘the Act’). The petitioner states that the seized stock includes 300 bags of his own paddy and therefore, he made a claim petition on 26.06.2010 for release of the same. Aggrieved by the inaction on the part of the 1st respondent in considering the claim petition, the present writ petition has been filed. The petitioner also seeks a declaration that the seizure itself was arbitrary and illegal. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies appearing for the respondents. As the confiscation proceedings are pending before the competent authority, though I am not inclined to go into the merits of the case and express any opinion as to the correctness of the allegations made, I deem it appropriate to dispose of the Writ Petition with a direction to the 3rd respondent to consider the petitioner’s application dated 26.06.2010 and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of this order. Till such time, the seized stock shall not be sold. No costs. ​ ____________ Date: 07.07.2010 G. ROHINI, J Ivd