IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD. (Special Original Jurisdiction) FRIDAY, THE TWELFTH DAY OF NOVEMBER, TWO THOUSAND AND TEN PRESENT THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION NO.26389 2008 B e t w e e n: Smt. K. Sunitha. - - - Petitioner. A n d Special Grade Deputy Collector & Revenue Divisional Officer, Chevella Division, Chevella, Ranga Reddy District. - - - Respondent. Petition under Article 226 of the constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the Affidavit filed herein the High Court will be pleased to issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ or direction declaring the action of the respondent suspending the authorization of petitioner’s Fair Price Shop No.414/1 Yellammabanda Village, Balangar Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, in his proceedings No.E/3086/2008, dated 08-08-2008 as null and void and pass such other orders. Counsel for the Petitioner : M/s V.H.V.R.R. SWAMY. Counsel for the Respondents : G. P. for Civil Supplies. The court made the following : THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION NO.26389 OF 2008 O R D E R: This writ petition has been filed challenging the orders of the Respondent herein who is Special Grade Deputy Collector and Revenue Divisional Officer, Chevella Division, Chevella, Ranga Reddy District, in respect of proceedings No.E/3086/2008, dated 08-08-2008, suspending the petitioner’s Fair Price Shop authorization, pending enquiry as illegal. The petitioner is an authorized fair price shop dealer in respect of fair price shop No.414/1, Yellammabanda Village, Balanagar Mandal, Ranga Reddy District. The Assistant Supply Officer, Circle No.II in charge of Assistant Supply Officer, Circle I Balanagar, rationed area inspected the said shop on 07-08-2008 and found some variations in the distribution of stocks and maintenance of records. Based on the report submitted by the said Inspecting Officer, proceedings have been initiated under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (For short ‘the Act’). In the meanwhile, the respondent herein suspended the authorization under the provisions of Andhra Pradesh State Public Distribution System (Control) Order 2008. It is against this order, this Writ petition has been filed. Heard the learned counsel for both the parties. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the proceedings initiated under the provisions of the Act, have resulted in confiscation of the seized stock. He however submits that no notice was given to the petitioner before passing of the impugned order. He contends that the allegations are trivial in nature and the respondent did not examine whether such trivial irregularities warranted suspension of authorization pending enquiry. Learned Government Pleader would submit that in the 6-A proceedings initiated, the petitioner was found guilty and accordingly orders were passed confiscating the entire seized stock. The authorization has been suspended temporarily and the petitioner can as well defend his case in the regular enquiry before the respondent. I am not inclined to express any opinion on the merits of the case. This Court while admitting the writ petition, by orders in W.P.M.P. No.34549 of 2008, dated 10-12-2008, suspended the impugned orders. The petitioner thereby has been running the shop by virtue of the said interim orders. Any dislocation in distribution of commodities at this point of time would cause inconvenience to the public. It is therefore appropriate to direct the respondent to dispose of the enquiry itself within a time frame. The respondent is therefore directed to conduct enquiry and pass appropriate orders as per law, as early as possible, preferably within a period of (8) eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Pending disposal of the enquiry, the orders of the respondent in proceedings No.34549 of 2008, dated 10-12-2008, shall remain suspended. The Writ petition is accordingly disposed of. No order as to costs. __________________ NOUSHAD ALI, J. DATE: 12-11-2010. Dsh.