THE HON’BLE Ms. JUSTICE G. ROHINI WRIT PETITION NO. 17190 of 2007 DATE: 14-08-2007 Between : Vanam Venugopala Rao … Petitioner And Joint Collector (Civil Supplies), Khammam District and 2 others. … Respondents THE HON’BLE Ms. JUSTICE G. ROHINI WRIT PETITION NO. 17190 of 2007 ORDER: An inspection was conducted in the business premises of the petitioner on 11-07-2007 and 398.30 quintals of rice was seized by the second respondent on the allegation that there are variations in stocks when the book balance was compared with the ground balance. On the basis of the seizure report, the confiscation proceedings under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (for short ‘the Act’) were initiated and the enquiry is pending before the first respondent. Pending the enquiry, the petitioner sought for release of the seized stock. The said request of the petitioner was rejected by the first respondent by order dated 01-08-2007. Challenging the said order, this writ petition has been filed. Having heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies, I do not find any justifiable reason to interfere with the order passed by the first respondent declining to release the seized stocks pending enquiry under Section 6-A of the Act. However, having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, I deem it appropriate to dispose of the writ petition with a direction to the first respondent to complete the enquiry itself as expeditiously as possible preferably within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Till such time, the seized stock shall not be sold. No costs. _______________ G. ROHINI, J Date:14-08-2007 KLP