THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI Writ Petition No.19462 of 2011 ORDER : Heard Smt.V.Padmaja Reddy, learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies appearing on behalf of the respondents and having regard to the short relief prayed during the course of hearing for a direction to the 1st Respondent not to sell the seized stock pending enquiry under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, this Writ Petition is being disposed of at the admission stage with the consent of both the learned counsel. The petitioner claims to be a dealer in food grains having wholesale and retail licence in the name and style of ‘Sri Lakshmi Bhaskara Traders’, Eluru. On 27-04-2011, the 2nd Respondent-Special Deputy Tahsildar along with the Tahsildar, Vigilance and Enforcement Department surprised the petitioner’s shop and filed a case under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act on the ground that there are variations in the stock book and ground balance and seized the stocks worth of Rs.9,52,462.50 Ps. and consequently submitted a report dated 28-04-2011 to the said effect to the 1st Respondent herein. Basing on the said report, proceedings under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act have been initiated and by means of the impugned order in Roc.No.CS.I/61/ECA/2011, dated 11-05-2011, the 1st Respondent has directed that the stock be disposed pending disposal of the proceedings under the Essential Commodities Act. Aggrieved by the said order, the petitioner has filed this Writ Petition. The learned counsel submits that the petitioner is prepared to face the enquiry and if the stock is sold before the conclusion of the enquiry, he will suffer grave and irreparable loss. It is therefore submitted that the 1st Respondent be directed to finalize the proceeding within a time frame without disposing of the seized stock. I am not inclined to go into the merits of the case. Indisputably, the stock was seized and pursuant to the report submitted in that regard, proceedings have been initiated under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act. The petitioner may participate in the proceedings and defend his case. However, matters of this nature may have to be disposed of as expeditiously as possible. In the circumstances, I deem it appropriate to direct the 1st Respondent to complete the enquiry pursuant to the report of the Special Deputy Tahsildar (C.S), Pedapadu, dated 28-04- 2011 and pass appropriate orders as early as possible, preferably within a period of three weeks from the date of the receipt of a copy of the order. Till the enquiry is completed, the stock seized shall not be sold. The Writ Petition is accordingly disposed of. No costs. ________________ NOUSHAD ALI, J. 03rd August, 2011. Note : Issue C.C. by 04-08-2011. B/O skmr THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI Writ Petition No.19462 of 2011 Date : 03-08-2011 Between : A.C.H.N.V.Sri Satyasankar .. Petitioner and The District Collector (Civil Supplies) West Godavari District, Eluru and another .. Respondents