IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) WEDNESDAY, THE TWENTY FIRST DAY OF MAY TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHT PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE C.V.RAMULU WRIT PETITION NO : 10845 of 2008 Between: M. Chandramohan Reddy S/o. Pedda Rosi Reddy Owner of the vehicle bearing No. AP04X 2233, R/o. Gangadevipalli Village, Muddanur Mandal, Kadapa District. ..... PETITIONER AND 1 The Joint Collector, Chittoor District (Civil Supplies). 2 The Tahsildar, V. Kota Mandal, Chittoor District. 3 The SHO, V. Kota, Chittoor District. .....RESPONDENTS 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 in the nature of a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, direction, order or orders declaring the action of the respondents herein in seized the vehicle bearing No. APO4 X 2233 which is kept with the 3rd respondent police at V. Kota, Chittoor District, is wholly arbitrary, illegal and without jurisdiction and void; and consequently direct the respondents to release the vehicle bearing No. APO4 X 2233 which is kept with the 3rd respondent police at V. Kota, Chittoor District, to the petitioner, and pass appropriate orders. Counsel for the Petitioner: MR.V.ESWARAIAH CHOWDARY Counsel for the Respondents: GP FOR CIVIL SUPPLIES The Court made the following : ORDER: The writ petition is filed seeking to issue a writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in seizing the vehicle bearing No.AP.04 X 2233 and keeping the same with the third respondent-Police at V.Kota of Chittoor District, as illegal and arbitrary and consequently, to direct the respondents to release the said vehicle to the petitioner. It appears the vehicle bearing No.AP.04 X 2233 belonging to the petitioner was seized under Section-6-A of the Essential Commodities Act and was kept with the third respondent-Police at V.Kota of Chittoor District. Though an application for release of the said vehicle was made by the petitioner before the Joint Collector, Chittoor, on 28.04.2008, the same is not being disposed of. Under those circumstances, without expressing any opinion on merits, the first respondent-Joint Collector, Chittoor District (Civil Supplies), is directed to dispose of the application purported to have been made by the petitioner on 28.04.2008 within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and communicate the same to the petitioner. The writ petition is, accordingly, disposed of, at the stage of admission. No costs. _______________________ JUSTICE C.V.RAMULU 21.05.2008 Note: Issue wire at party’s costs. B/o DR ..... REGISTRAR // TRUE COPY // SECTION OFFICER To 1 The Joint Collector, Chittoor District (Civil Supplies). 2 The Tahsildar, V. Kota Mandal, Chittoor District. 3 The SHO, V. Kota, Chittoor District. 4. 2CCs to Government Pleader for Civil Supplies (OUT) 5. 2CD copies