THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE V.ESWARAIAH W.P.NO.299 OF 2009 ORDER: This writ petition is filed seeking writ of mandamus directing respondents 1 and 2 not to sell the stocks, namely, rice 28-25 quintals which were seized from the petitioner business premises on 6.1.2009 by respondents 3 and 4 alleging that the business is being conducted without maintaining the records, contrary to the licence and selling the rice at the rate of Rs.22/- per KG contrary to the conditions of Food Grains licence pending disposal of 6-A enquiry on the file of the 1st respondent by duly declaring the action of respondents 1 and 2 in taking steps to sell the seized stocks in public auction or through Public Distribution System pending disposal of the 6-A enquiry without giving any opportunity to the petitioner or prove his bonafides is nothing but arbitrary and contrary to the true intent of provision of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Though various contentions have been raised by the petitioner assailing the seizure, since the enquiry under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (for short, ‘E.C.Act, 1955’) is pending, without expressing any opinion on merits, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the 1st respondent to proceed with the enquiry under Section 6-A of the E.C.Act, 1955 and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of this order. Till such time, there shall be stay of sale of the seized stock. No costs. _______________ V.ESWARAIAH, J. 12.1.2009 kpr