THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.33515 of 2011 Date: 20.12.2011 Between: Mannam Srinivasa …. Petitioner And The Grain purchasing Assistant, Jaggayyapeta, Krishna District and another. …. Respondents THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI Writ Petition No.33515 of 2011 ORDER: Heard Sri V.H.V.R.R. Swamy, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner as well as the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies appearing for the respondents. Having regard to the short relief sought for by learned counsel for the petitioner for a direction to the 2nd respondent to conclude the enquiry initiated in pursuance of the panchanama dated 11.11.2011 and not to dispose of the seized stock until then, this writ petition is disposed of with the consent of both the counsel at the admission stage. 2. The petitioner claims to be the proprietor of M/s. Sri Lakshmi Srinivasa Oil and Dall Mill, situated near Sai Baba Temple, Paritala Village, Kanchikacherla Mandal, Krishna District, and holding a valid licence under the provisions of A.P. Scheduled Commodities Dealers (Licencing, Storage and Regulation) Order, 2008. The 1st respondent-Grain Purchasing Assistant, Jaggayyapeta, Krishna District, inspected the business premises of the petitioner on 11.11.2011 and seized the stock of black gram under panchanama dated 11.11.2011 on the ground that there is variation of stock from the book balance to ground balance, alleging contravention of Clause 18(3)(a) of the said Control Order. A report has been laid before the 2nd respondent-District Collector, Krishna District, 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. The petitioner also filed an application seeking release of the stocks. However, the 2nd respondent, while declining to release the stock, passed orders in proceedings ECP.No.300/2011, dated 12.12.2011 directing the 1st respondent to dispose of the seized stock by way of public auction. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition. 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 2nd respondent be directed to dispose of the enquiry within a time frame and in the meanwhile not to sell the seized stock. 5. Admittedly, an enquiry under Section 6-A of the Act is pending before the 2nd respondent. 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 2nd respondent to complete the enquiry initiated under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 in pursuance of the panchanama dated 11.11.2011 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. 7. In view of disposal of the writ petition, W.P.M.P.No.41672 of 2011 is dismissed as unnecessary. ________________________ JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI 20.12.2011. NOTE: Issue C.C. by tomorrow. (B/O) Msr THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.33515 of 2011 20.12.2011 (Msr)