THE HON'BLE MS JUSTICE G.ROHINI WRIT PETITION No. 15890 of 2010 Date: 07.07.2010 Between: B.Sudhakar ..... PETITIONER AND The Joint Collector (C.S.Wing), Karimnagar Distict, Karimnagar .....RESPONDENT The Court made the following:- THE HON'BLE MS JUSTICE G.ROHINI WRIT PETITION No. 15890 of 2010 O R D E R : The petitioner herein claims to be the absolute owner of the vehicle Auto bearing No.AP 15 Y 9069. It is stated that on 23.06.2010 the said vehicle was engaged for transporting the 3 Barrels of Kerosene and while the same was being transported from IB colony to Ganganagar, Godavarikhani, the Mandal Revenue Inspector-I, Ramagundam had intercepted and seized the stock as well as the vehicle. It is stated that the vehicle has been kept in the custody of the Station House Officer, Ramagundam Police Station, Karimnagar pending proceedings before the respondent under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 for confiscation of the seized stock as well as the vehicle. Immediately, the petitioner made an application before the respondent on 25.06.2010 with a request to release the seized vehicle. Though the petitioner expressed his willingness to furnish sufficient surety, the respondent failed to consider his request. Hence, the present writ petition. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies appearing for the respondent. The second proviso to Section 6-A(1) of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, which deals with the vehicle used in carrying the essential commodity in contravention of the control order, provides that an option shall be given to pay in lieu of its confiscation a fine not exceeding the market price at the date of seizure of the essential commodity sought to be carried by the vehicle. Thus it is clear that in appropriate cases the respondent can direct release of the vehicle pending proceedings under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 subject to furnishing adequate surety. As the petitioner states that such an application was made on 25.6.2010, the respondent is expected to consider the same in accordance with law. Accordingly, without expressing any opinion on merits, the Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondent to consider the petitioner’s application dated 25.06.2010 for release of the vehicle Auto bearing No.AP 15 Y 9069 and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of one week from the date of receipt of this order. No costs. ​ ____________ Date: 07.07.2010 G. ROHINI, J Note: Issue CC of order by tomorrow (BO) Ivd