THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.30550 of 2011 Date: 18.11.2011 Between: Peddi Praveen … Petitioner and The Collector (C.S.), Karimnagar and others. … Respondents THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.30550 of 2011 ORDER : Heard Sri V. Ravi Kiran Rao, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner as well as the learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies appearing for the respondents. Having regard to the short relief sought for in the writ petition not to sell the seized stock pending disposal of the enquiry by the 1st respondent, with the consent of both the counsel the writ petition is being disposed of at the admission stage. 2. The petitioner claims to be the licencee of Tirumala Traders, situated at Prakasam Gunj, Karimnagar, and conducting the business in Sugar, pulses and oil after obtaining valid licence under the provisions of Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Commodities Dealers (Licensing, Storage and Regulation) Order, 2008 (for brevity “the Control Order”). On 10.11.2011, the 3rd respondent-Deputy Tahsildar (CS), Peddapalli, Karimnagar District, inspected the petitioner’s business premises and found variations in the stock consisting of Refined Oil, Green gram, Red gram, Black gram and Bengal gram. Therefore, alleging contravention of the provisions of the Control Order, the entire stock was seized under panchanama dated 10.11.2011 and a report has been laid before the 1st respondent-Collector (CS), Karimnagar, for initiation of an enquiry under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (for brevity “the Act”). 3. It is the case of the petitioner that he has not committed any irregularity or contravened any of the provisions of the Control Order as alleged against him. Therefore, he has filed the present writ petition challenging the action of the 1st respondent in proposing to dispose of the seized stock by way of public auction. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is prepared to participate in the enquiry and, defend his case and in the meanwhile, if the seized stock is sold, the petitioner would suffer grave and irreparable loss. The learned counsel, therefore, submits that the 1st respondent be directed to dispose of the enquiry within a time frame and in the meanwhile not to sell the seized stock. 5. I am not inclined to express any opinion on the merits of the case. It is true that once a report is laid alleging contravention of the provisions of the Control Order, the 1st respondent is competent to initiate proceedings for eventual confiscation of the seized stock. In the instant case, the seized stock is not perishable in nature. However, in matters of this nature, the Statutory authorities are expected to pass orders expeditiously within a reasonable time. Since the enquiry initiated under Section 6-A of the Act is likely to take some time, in the meanwhile, if the seized stock is sold, it might cause grave and irreparable loss to the petitioner. 6. In the circumstances, the writ petition is disposed of directing the 1st respondent to complete the enquiry initiated under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 in pursuance of the panchanama dated 10.11.2011 and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Till conclusion of the said enquiry and final orders are passed, the seized stock of the petitioner shall not be sold or otherwise disposed of. No order as to costs. ________________________ JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI 18.11.2011. NOTE: Issue C.C. by 19.11.2011. (B/O) Msr THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.30550 of 2011 18.11.2011 (Msr)