HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI Writ Petition No.31341 of 2011 Date: 28-11-2011 Between Poosarla Srinivas Rao … Petitioner and The District Collector (Civil Supplies), Visakhapatnam district, Visakhapatnam and 2 others … Respondents HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI Writ Petition No.31341 of 2011 Order: In view of the short relief sought for at the hearing not to sell the seized stock until the conclusion of enquiry, this writ petition is being disposed of at the stage of admission, with the consent of Sri Thimmadi Sudhakar Reddy, learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies appearing for the respondents 1 to 3. 2. The petitioner claims to be a licencee under the provisions of the A.P. Scheduled Commodities Dealers (Licensing, Storage & Regulation) Control Order, 2008 vide Licence No.93/2009-10 (valid up to 31-3-2012). The Assistant Supply Officer, Circle No.III, Gajuwaka, Visakhapatnam, the 3rd respondent herein, along with the Vigilance staff inspected the petitioner’s business premises on 11-11-2011. On verification of the records, it was found that the stock available on ground did not tally with the entries in the records relating to certain essential commodities. Therefore, the 3rd respondent seized the entire stock alleging contravention of the provisions of the aforesaid Control Order by panchanama dated 11-11-2011. The 3rd respondent submitted a report to the 1st respondent for eventual action of confiscation of the seized stock under the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. It is stated that the petitioner approached the 1st respondent by submitting an application on 17-11-2011 for release of the seized stock contending that the allegations are not true. Since the 1st respondent has not considered the said application and in the meanwhile he is taking steps to dispose of the seized stock, the petitioner has filed this writ petition. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is prepared to participate in the enquiry and defend his case and in the meanwhile if the seized stock is sold, the petitioner will suffer grave and irreparable loss. It is, therefore, submitted that the 1st respondent be directed to conclude the enquiry within a time- frame, with a further direction not to sell the seized stock until then. 4. The learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies has no objection for issuing such a direction. 5. Indisputably, the stock was seized on 11-11-2011 and the petitioner has approached the 1st respondent on 17-11-2011 for release of the seized stock. The enquiry is yet to be conducted, in which the petitioner is always at liberty to participate and defend his case. 6. In view of the said submissions, I deem it appropriate to dispose of the writ petition, directing the 1st respondent-District Collector (Civil Supplies), Visakhapatnam, to conclude the enquiry by passing appropriate orders in accordance with law in pursuance of the panchanama dated 11-11-2011 of the 3rd respondent, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of 8 (eight) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Until orders are passed by the 1st respondent, the seized stock shall not be sold. 7. In view of disposal of the writ petition, the W.P.M.Ps. pending, if any, are dismissed as unnecessary. No costs. ___________________ NOUSHAD ALI, J. 28th November, 2011. Note:- Issue C.C. in two days. (B/o) Ak HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI Writ Petition No.31341 of 2011 28th November, 2011. (Ak)