THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION NO.24228 OF 2007 DT.18.11.2010 Between: U.Suresh Kumar ……..Petitioner Vs. The Collector (C.S.), Prakasam District and another …..Respondents O R D E R: The petitioner, who is the owner of a lorry bearing Registration No.AP-27-V-6371 has filed this writ petition to declare the proceedings initiated against him under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 ( for short ‘the Act’) and the notice issued in the proceedings dated 04.10.2007 as illegal. On 03.10.2007, the Sub-Inspector of Police, Gudloor nabbed the aforesaid lorry and found 195 bags (97.5 quintals) of P.D.S. rice. He therefore seized the lorry along with the stock. On the basis of a report submitted to that effect by the Deputy Tahsildar, (C.S.) Kandukur Mandal, proceedings under Section 6-A of the Act are initiated against the petitioner and the enquiry is pending before the first respondent. Complaining that the seizure is illegal, the petitioner has filed this writ petition. Heard the learned counsel for both the parties. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is only the owner of the vehicle and he has not contravened any control order. On the other hand, the learned Government Pleader submits that the proceedings have been initiated and the petitioner can as well participate in the enquiry and establish his case. I am not inclined to express any opinion on the merits of the case. The petitioner is at liberty to defend his case in the enquiry. This Court while admitting the writ petition, passed orders dated 20.11.2007 in W.P.M.P.No.31557 of 2007 directing the respondents to release the vehicle, subject to the condition of the petitioner furnishing an undertaking before the first respondent not to alienate or encumber and to produce the vehicle as and when required. It is represented by both the learned counsel that the vehicle has already been released. However, the enquiry is pending. Having regard to the same, it is appropriate that the enquiry shall be directed to be completed within a time framer. In the circumstances, the first respondent is directed to complete the enquiry initiated against the petitioner and pass appropriate orders within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. With the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. ______________ NOUSHAD ALI J., Dt.18.11.2010 Tjs