THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE RAMESH RANGANATHAN WRIT PETITON No.32422 OF 2011 ORDER: The petitioner’s Auto bearing Registration No.AP 04 Y 7108, allegedly carrying essential commodities, was seized by the respondent on 23.10.2011. The petitioner filed an application before the Judicial Magistrate of I Class, Lakkireddipally for release of the said vehicle. The said application was dismissed by the Learned Magistrate by his order dated 14.11.2011 holding that it was the Collector who had the power to pass orders regarding release of the vehicle in which the essential commodities were transported; there is a bar of jurisdiction of the Court; as such the Court did not have jurisdiction to direct release of the vehicle; and the remedy of the petitioner was to move the authority concerned. Both Sri V.R. Reddy Kovvuri, Learned Counsel for the petitioner and the Learned Government Pleader for Home would agree that, in more or less similar circumstances, this Court, in W.P. No.21973 of 2004 dated 03.12.2004, had held that police officials lacked jurisdiction to seize a vehicle transporting essential commodities. As the police officials do not have jurisdiction to seize the vehicle carrying essential commodities, the action of the respondent in seizing the said vehicle must, necessarily, be held to be illegal. The respondent shall, therefore, release the vehicle forthwith to the petitioner. It is made clear that this order shall not preclude the competent authority under the Essential Commodities Act from taking action in accordance with law. The Writ Petition stands disposed of accordingly. No costs. Date: 19.12.2011 ____________________________ RAMESH RANGANATHAN, J MRKR