IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) WEDNESDAY, THE NINTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER TWO THOUSAND AND NINE PRESENT THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE GOPALA KRISHNA TAMADA WRIT PETITION NO : 18972 of 2009 Between: M/s.Satya Venkata Ramana Enterprises, Padala Tadepalligudem Mandal, West Godavari District. . .Petitioner And The Joint Collector, West Godavari District and another. .. Respondents THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE GOPALA KRISHNA TAMADA WRIT PETITION NO.18972 OF 2009 ORDER: The petitioner filed this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of Mandamus to declare the action of the 2nd respondent in seizing the entire stocks of the petitioner vide mediator’s report dated 27.07.2009 as arbitrary, illegal, null and void and contrary to provisions of the Essential Commodities Act and against the principles of natural justice and in violation of Articles 19(10)(g) and 300-A of the Constitution of India and to set aside the same. 2) The brief facts are that the petitioner is a proprietary concern and carrying on the business under the name and style of M/s.Satya Venkata Ramana Enterprises. On 27.07.2009 when the husband of the proprietor of the petitioner sold the stocks to different retailers and entrusted the stock to the parcel van bearing No.AP 21 U 8829 to effect deliveries to concerned retailers and while the van is on its way, the 2nd respondent authority inspected the vehicle and seized the entire stocks on the ground that there are certain irregularities. Thereupon, the same was reported to the 1st respondent, who in turn initiated proceedings under Section 6-A of Essential Commodities Act. Immediately thereafter, the petitioner approached the 1st respondent and filed a petition on 03.08.2009 requesting for release of the stocks seized on 27.07.2009. But, however, no orders have yet been passed and hence, the petitioner approached this Court and filed the present writ petition. 3) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies. 4) Having regard to the fact that the stocks seized are small in quantity, this Court is of the view that the same can be ordered to be released in favour of the petitioner. 5) Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of at the stage of admission with a direction to the 1st respondent to complete the proceedings initiated under Section 6-A of Essential Commodities Act at the earliest, preferably within a period of eight(8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. In the meanwhile the entire stocks seized on 27.07.2009 shall be released in favour of the petitioner on her furnishing bank guarantee as fixed by the 1st respondent. There shall be no order as to costs. ________________________ GOPALA KRISHNA TAMADA, J September 09, 2009 KSH