THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI Writ Petition No.33565 of 2011 Date: 20.12.2011 Between: Tirumala Rice Depot, rep. by its Proprietor Jonnala Ramesh …. Petitioner And The Joint Collector (CS) Karimnagar District, Karimnagar and others. …. Respondents THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.33565 of 2011 ORDER: Heard Sri K. Venumadhav, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner as well as the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies appearing for the respondents. Having regard to the short relief sought for by learned counsel for the petitioner for a direction to the 1st respondent to conclude the enquiry initiated in pursuance of the impugned panchanama dated 10.12.2011 and not to dispose of the seized stock until then, this writ petition is disposed of with the consent of both the counsel at the admission stage. 2. The petitioner claims to be a dealer holding a licence under the provisions of A.P. Scheduled Commodities Dealers (Licencing, Storage and Regulation) Order, 2008. The 3rd respondent-Food Inspector, Siricilla, Karimnagar District, inspected the business premises of the petitioner on 10.12.2011 and seized 36.00 quintals of BPT rice alleging that the petitioner failed to maintain the FGL licence, stock register, sales register and bill books. A report to the said effect is said to have been laid before the 1st respondent-Joint Collector (CS), Karimnagar District, for appropriate action under the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. 3. The petitioner has filed this writ petition challenging the seizure by contending that the allegations are untrue and that he is prepared to participate in the enquiry and defend his case. It is further submitted that even before the allegations are enquired into, the 1st respondent is taking steps to dispose of the stock and in such an event he would suffer grave and irreparable loss. The learned counsel therefore submits that it would suffice if the 1st respondent is directed to complete the enquiry within a time frame and not to dispose of the stock till the conclusion of enquiry. 4. The learned Assistant Government Pleader has no objection in granting such direction. 5. Admittedly, an enquiry under Section 6-A of the Act is pending before the 1st respondent. In matters of this nature, the Statutory authorities are expected to pass orders expeditiously within a reasonable time. Since the enquiry initiated under Section 6-A of the Act is likely to take some time, in the meanwhile, if the seized stock is sold, it might cause grave and irreparable loss to the petitioner. 6. In the circumstances and also keeping in view the short relief sought for by the learned counsel for the petitioner at the hearing, I deem it appropriate to dispose of the writ petition directing the 1st respondent to complete the enquiry initiated under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 in pursuance of the panchanama dated 10.12.2011 and pass appropriate orders as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Till conclusion of the said enquiry and final orders are passed, the seized stock of the petitioner 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. 8. In view of disposal of the writ petition, W.P.M.P.No.41729 of 2011 is dismissed as unnecessary. ________________________ JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI 20.12.2011. NOTE: Issue C.C. by tomorrow. (B/O) Msr THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.33565 of 2011 20.12.2011 (Msr)