THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE R.SUBHASH REDDY WRIT PETITION NO: 432 of 2008 Between: C.Srinivasulu .... PETITIONER AND Tahsildar, Civil Supplies, Nandyal, Kurnool District and three others ...RESPONDENTS ORDER: In this writ petition, the petitioner questions seizure of vehicle bearing lorry No. AP-21-W-6538 by the first respondent. 2. A reading of the panchanama discloses that the petitioner has undertaken transportation of rice, which was supplied under public distribution system. It is submitted that pursuant to the seizure, the seizure is reported to the third respondent and no proceedings are initiated yet under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (for short ‘the Act’). It is submitted that the petitioner has moved an application before the 3rd respondent/Joint Collector, Kurnool District for release of the said vehicle and in spite of the directions of this Court earlier in W.P.No.28159 of 2007, no orders are passed yet. 3. In this case seizure was effected on 07.12.2007. It is stated that the petitioner has purchased the said vehicle by obtaining loan from a financial agency. Whether the vehicle is liable for confiscation or not, on the allegations made against the petitioner, it can be a matter of enquiry by the competent authority under Section 6-A of the Act. 4. As much as seizure was effected on 07.12.2007 and it is stated that no proceedings are initiated yet under Section 6-A of the Act, I dispose of the writ petition directing the respondents to release the vehicle in question on giving bank guarantee equivalent to the value of the commodities seized from the vehicle. On approach of the petitioner, the respondents shall notify the value of such commodity by communicating the same in writing within a period of three days from the date of filing of the application. On such communication, the petitioner shall give bank guarantee and seek release of the vehicle. 5. Subject to the above direction, the writ petition is disposed of. No order as to costs. -------------------------------------- JUSTICE R. SUBHASH REDDY DATE:08.01.2008 Note: Furnish C.C. within two days. B/O Ccm/bsb