THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.17258 of 2011 Date: 22.06.2011 Between: M/s. Venkateshwara Traders, Rep.by its Proprietor K. Shiva Kumar, Luxettipet, Adilabad District. … Petitioner and The Collector (CS), Adilabad District, Adilabad and others. … Respondents THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.17258 of 2011 ORDER : Heard Sri K. Venumadhav, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, as well as the learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies appearing for the respondents, and with their consent the writ petition is being disposed of at the admission stage. 2. This writ petition has been filed declaring the action of the 3rd respondent-Mandal Revenue Inspector, Luxettipet Mandal, Adilabad District, in seizing the stock of 80 quintals of rice through panchanama dated 18.4.2011 and the orders of the 1st respondent- District Collector (CS), Adilabad District, directing the 3rd respondent to conduct the auction for sale of the seized stock without completing the proceedings initiated under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (for brevity “the Act”), as arbitrary and illegal. 3. The petitioner claims to be a trader dealing in the business of rice in the name and style of M/s. Venkateshwara Traders, situated at Beet Bazar, Luxettipet, Adilabad District. On 18.4.2011, the 2nd respondent-Tahsildar, Luxettipet Mandal, Adilabad District, seized the vehicle Canter bearing No.AP 26Y 6036 while transporting 80 quintals of rice containing 320 bags, each weighing 25 Kgs. from Uthkoor village of Luxettipet Mandal to Adilabad town and laid a report under Section 6-A of the Act before the 1st respondent. Taking cognizance of the same, the 1st respondent issued a show cause notice under Section 6-B of the Act and at the same time by order in case No.CS6/189/2011, dated 30.5.2011, directed the Tahsildar to dispose of the seized stock pending the enquiry. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition for the aforesaid relief. 4. In view of the limited relief sought for by the learned counsel for the petitioner during the course of hearing for early disposal of the enquiry proceedings, I need not go into the merits of the case. 5. Indisputably, the stock of the petitioner was seized on 18.4.2011 and a show cause notice has also been issued on 30.5.2011. It is stated that the petitioner has already submitted his explanation to the said show cause notice. In matters of this nature wherever the rights of the parties are involved, the Statutory authorities are expected to conduct the enquiry and pass appropriate orders expeditiously within a time frame. 6. In the facts and circumstances of the case, I deem it appropriate to dispose of the writ petition directing the 1st respondent to conclude the enquiry proceedings initiated under Section 6-A of the Act pursuant to the show cause notice dated 30.5.2011 and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law as early as possible, preferably within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Till completion of the enquiry, the stock seized shall not be sold or otherwise disposed of. 7. Subject to the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of. No order as to costs. ________________________ JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI 22.06.2011. NOTE:- Operative portion by wire at party’s costs. (B/O) Msr THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.17258 of 2011 22.06.2011 (Msr)