THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE GOPALA KRISHNA TAMADA WRIT PETITION NO :21935 of 2009 DATED: 14-10-2009 Between: M/s Sai Rice Depot, Rep.by its Proprietor, Siddamsetti Ramachandram, J.P.N.Road, Kamareddy, Nizamabad District. ..... PETITIONERS And The Joint Collector (CS), Nizamabad District & 2 others. .....RESPONDENTS ORDER: The business premises of the petitioner was inspected and the entire stock was seized by the Vigilance officials on 07-01- 2009 and thereafter the matter was reported to the Collector, who in turn initiated proceedings under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 ( for brevity, ‘the Act’). 2. Heard learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies appearing for the respondents. 3. When the petitioner approached the 1st respondent-Joint Collector (CS) Nizamabad and filed an application seeking release of the said stocks, the Joint Collector was pleased to release the stocks on condition of the petitioner depositing Rs.3,61,725/-. Though the proceedings under Section 6-A of the Act have been initiated as early as in the month of January, 2009 as they are still pending, petitioner approached this Court and filed the present Writ Petition seeking to modify the said order i.e., by releasing the bank guarantee accepting some third party security or personal security. 4. The 1st respondent-Joint Collector (CS) Nizamabad had exercised his powers and directed the petitioner to furnish bank guarantee, which was complied with. 5. May be it is true that the proceedings under Section 6-A of the Act are pending. This Court is of the view that the bank guarantee that was furnished can be released in favour of the petitioner. However, as the proceedings have been initiated as early as in the month of January, 2009, the 1st respondent-Joint Collector is directed to dispose of the said proceedings at the earliest, preferably, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 6. Accordingly, Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. _______________________ T.GOPALAKRISHNA,J 14th October, 2009. Note: Furnish C.C. of the order within two days. B/o Tsy