THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE R.SUBHASH REDDY WRIT PETITION No.3957 of 2010 ORDER: In this writ petition, the petitioner has questioned the order, dated 09.02.2010 passed by the first respondent - Joint Collector, S.P.S.R. Nellore District. Petitioner is the owner of auto bearing No.AP16 X 9435. The said vehicle was intercepted and seized along with a load of 4 full and 16 empty IOC Cylinders on the ground that there were certain irregularities in distribution of gas cylinders in violation of A.P.L.P.G. (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000. He submitted a representation, dated 30.01.2010 seeking release of the vehicle and the cylinders, to the first respondent, before whom the proceedings under Section 6A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (for short ‘the Act’) were initiated. Through the impugned order, the first respondent has ordered release of the vehicle in question on furnishing bank guarantee for Rs.50,000/-. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that though the petitioner has submitted representation seeking release of the cylinders also, the first respondent has not passed any order and that imposing bank guarantee for Rs.50,000/- for release of the vehicle is illegal. So far as the cylinders are concerned, admittedly, they belong to M/s.Padmasree Gas Agency. Therefore, the petitioner cannot seek release of the cylinders. Insofar as imposition of bank guarantee for release of the auto is concerned, if the allegations are proved, the auto is liable for confiscation. In that view of the matter, imposing bank guarantee for Rs.50,000/- for release of the auto cannot be said to be illegal. However, in view of the fact that the proceedings initiated under Section 6A of the Act are pending, I deem it appropriate to direct the first respondent to complete the enquiry and pass appropriate orders as expeditiously as possible, preferably, within a period of three (3) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, uninfluenced by any of the observations made in this order. Subject to the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of. No order as to costs. _______________________ R.SUBHASH REDDY, J 23rd FEBRUARY, 2010. kvni