THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE GOPALA KRISHNA TAMADA CRIMINAL PETITION No.2766 OF 2010 ORDER: Petitioner is a dealer in rice business. On 19.09.2009 the Deputy Tahsildar, Civil Supplies Department Piduguralla inspected his rice mill and seized stocks of rice and other items from out of his rice mill on the ground that he is carrying on business clandestinely. Pursuant to the report furnished by the Tahsildar, proceedings under Section 6 A of the Essential Commodities Act have been initiated. After enquiry, the Joint Collector, Guntur came to the conclusion that the stocks are liable for confiscation and accordingly on 20.01.2010 passed an order of confiscation of 70% of the stocks so seized. As against the said order of confiscation, the Petitioner approached the appellate authority i.e. the District Judge, Guntur and filed Criminal Appeal. According to the learned counsel for the petitioner, along with the said appeal, the Petitioner also filed an application seeking suspension of the order of the Joint Collector. Though the said appeal was filed on 01.02.2010, so far no orders have yet been passed either on the interim application or in the appeal itself. Hence he approached this court and filed the present Criminal Petition under Section 482 of Cr.P.C seeking release of the stocks so seized from out of his rice mill. Heard both sides. Apparently, the appeal and also the petition seeking suspension of the order passed by the Joint Collector are pending before the learned District Judge, Guntur. Hence this court is of the view that this petition can be disposed of with a direction to the District Judge, Guntur to decide the said suspension application within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The Criminal Petition is accordingly disposed of. -------------- 22.03.2010 C.C. in two days B/o kvsn