IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) FRIDAY, THE TENTH DAY OF DECEMBER TWO THOUSAND AND FOUR PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE L.NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION NOs : 20416 and 20417 of 2004 WRIT PETITION NO : 20416 of 2004 Between: Smt. Usha Kumari, W/o. Venugopal, (Under Suspension) R/o. 14-10-412, Dhoolpet, Hyderabad. ..... PETITIONER AND The District Supply Officer, (City) Hyderabad, Near Anand Talkies, Secunderabad. .....RESPONDENT WRIT PETITION NO : 20417 of 2004 Between: Shyam Sunder, S/o. Banwarilal Sharma, R/o. 5-3-240, Goshamahal, Hyderabad. ..... PETITIONER AND The District Supply Officer, ( City), Hyderabad, near Anand Talkies, Secunderabad. .....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 writ or direction preferably writ of mandamus declaring the proceedings No.B1/2505/04 dt. 24.7.2004 issued by the respondent as illegal, arbitrary and violative of principles of natural justice and consequently direct the respondent to revoke the suspension and continue the petitioner as F.P. Shop dealer as usual. Counsel for the Petitioners: MR.KOWTURU VINAYA KUMAR (in both cases) Counsel for the Respondent: GP FOR CIVIL SUPPLIES (in both cases) The Court, at the stage of admission, made the following : COMMON ORDER: The petitioners are the dealers of fair price shops. Their authorizations were suspended by the District Supply Officer, (City) Hyderabad, through proceedings, dated 24.07.2004, on the allegation that they have lifted stocks for the months of November, December, 2003, January and March, 2004, by submitting forged bank documents. The orders of suspension are challenged in this writ petition. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies. Prima facie, the allegation against the petitioners is serious. If the allegations are proved to be true, serious action has to entail. But the proceedings cannot be kept pending indefinitely. Already about five months time has elapsed. For conducting an enquiry into a charge of this type, it should not have taken so much time. This Court is not convinced to suspend the proceedings, dated 24.07.2004, issued against the petitioners. On the other hand, the District Supply Officer can be directed to expedite the matter and pass final orders. Hence, the writ petitions are disposed of directing that the District Supply Officer (City), Hyderabad, shall pass final orders in the proceedings initiated against the petitioners, within four weeks from today. There shall be no order as to costs. _______________________ L.NARASIMHA REDDY, J Dated : 10th December, 2004 Note: Furnish copy by 13.12.2004. (B/o.) Ts To 1.The District Supply Officer, (City), Hyderabad, near Anand Talkies, Secunderabad. 2.2CCs to G.P. for Civil Supplies, High Court Buildings, Hyderabad(OUT). 3.2CD copies