HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE R. SUBHASH REDDY Writ Petition No.25148 of 2006 Date: September 27, 2011 Between: Padmata Ranga Rao, S/o.Venkateswara Rao … Petitioner And The Joint Collector (CS) Krishna District at Machilipatnam and another … Respondents Order: The petitioner is a dealer in Rice and general stores at Gannavaram village and Mandal of Krishna District. The respondents-authorities, after making an inspection, on 28.09.2006, in his shop, seized the stock of 53.00 quintals of rice on the ground that the same was meant for public distribution and initiated proceedings against him for illegal possession of PDS rice. This Court, at the stage of admission, by order dated 01.12.2006, directed the respondents to release the seized rice of 53.00 quintals in favour of the petitioner subject to condition that he furnishes third party security for half the value of the seized stock. When the matter is taken up, it is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies for respondents that enquiry initiated under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (for short, ‘the Act’) is pending consideration. Though it is the case of the petitioner that the seizure of rice is illegal and respondents-authorities are not empowered to do so, it is a matter for enquiry under Section 6-A of the Act. As much as it is stated that enquiry is not completed, I dispose of the writ petition directing the 1st respondent to complete the enquiry under Section 6-A of the Act pursuant to seizure effected on 28.09.2006, within a period of three months from today, if not already completed by this time. The third party security given by the petitioner pursuant to the interim order of this Court shall be subject to the final orders to be passed in the enquiry under Section 6-A of the Act. No costs. ___________________ (R.SUBHASH REDDY, J) September 27, 2011 MRR