IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) WEDNESDAY, THE NINTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER TWO THOUSAND AND NINE PRESENT THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE GOPALA KRISHNA TAMADA WRIT PETITION NO : 18926 of 2009 Between: M/s.Panduranga General Stores, Natta Rameswaram Village, Penumantra Mandal, West Godavari District. . .Petitioner And The Joint Collector, West Godavari District and another. .. Respondents THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE GOPALA KRISHNA TAMADA WRIT PETITION NO.18926 OF 2009 ORDER: The petitioner filed this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the 2nd respondent authority in seizing the entire stocks of the petitioner vide mediator’s report dated 24.08.2009 as arbitrary, illegal, null and void and contrary to the provisions of Essential Commodities Act and against the principles of natural justice and in violation of Articles 19(1)(g) and 300-A of the Constitution of India and to set aside the same and consequently direct the respondent authorities to release the seized stocks of the petitioner. 2) The brief facts are that the Vigilance and Enforcement officials surprised the business premises of the petitioner and seized various stocks on 24.08.2009. Thereafter, on a report, the 1st respondent-Joint Collector has initiated proceedings under Section 6- A of Essential Commodities Act. Immediately thereafter, the petitioner approached the 1st respondent and gave an application on 26.08.2009 requesting to release the seized stock. But, however, no orders have yet been passed on the said application and hence, the petitioner approached this Court and filed the present writ petition. 3) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies. 4) Having regard to the fact that the proceedings under Section 6-A of Essential Commodities Act have already been initiated and the application of the petitioner for release of the seized stocks is pending, this Court is of the view that this writ petition can be disposed of with a direction to the 1st respondent to consider the said application and decide the proceedings under Section 6-A of Essential Commodities Act at the earliest, preferably within a period of eight(8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Till such time, the stocks seized on 24.08.2009 shall not be sold. 5) With the above directions, the Writ Petition is disposed of at the stage of admission. There shall be no order as to costs. ________________________ GOPALA KRISHNA TAMADA, J September 09, 2009 KSH