APHC010175002025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3458] MONDAY ,THE SEVENTH DAY OF APRIL TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA WRIT PETITION NO: 9014/2025 Between: Nadakuditi Nandini and Others ...PETITIONER(S) AND The State Of Andhra Pradesh and Others ...RESPONDENT(S) Counsel for the Petitioner(S): 1. B JAYA PRABHAKARA RAO Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR MINES AND GEOLOGY The Court made the following: ORDER: The writ petition is filed challenging the action of the 3rd respondent in seizing the Tractor bearing No.AP39 US 1244 belonging to the 1st petitioner and its Trailer No.AP07 TE 6976 of the 2nd petitioner, in connection with FIR No.43 of 2025, without following the procedure under the Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966. 2 2. Heard Sri B. Jaya Prabhakar Rao, learned counsel for the petitioners and learned Government Pleader for Mines and Geology appearing for the respondents. With the consent of both the parties, the writ petition is disposed of at the stage of admission. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioners contends that the petitioners have been using the subject vehicle for agricultural and commercial purposes on hire. On 27.03.2025, when the Tractor and its Trailer were at Kishkindapalem Village, Kolluru Mandal, the 3rd respondent herein seized the vehicles alleging that the petitioner had been transporting sand without valid documents. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the 3rd respondent has illegally seized the vehicle of the petitioners and registered FIR No.43 of 2025 under Section 303(2) Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and 21(4) Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. Hence, he prays the Court to direct the respondents to release the vehicle. In support of his contentions, the learned counsel for the petitioners relies on a decision of this Court in W.P.No.5213 of 2025, and prays the Court to dispose of the Writ Petition in terms of the said order. He further relies on G.O.Ms.No.43 dated 08.07.2024. 5. The relevant clauses of Clause 6(III)(Q)(i) of the said G.O.Ms.No.43 Industries and Commerce (Mines-III), Department, dated 08.07.2024, reads as follows: 3 Q. Offences and Penalties: i. In case of the vehicles engaged in illegal/ un-authorized excavation in the prohibited areas (i.e., within 500 meters from the Ground water structures, Bridges, Dams, Railway lines and cross drainage structures etc.), transportation of sand outside the State and found transporting sand without valid Sand Way bill /invoice shall be penalized as follows; Vehicle Type First Time (In Rs.) Second Time (In Rs.) Tractor Upto 10,000/- Rs.10,001/- to 20,000/- Lorry fitted with upto 10 tires capacity Upto 25,000/- Rs.25,001/- to 50,000/- Lorry fitted with above 10 tires Upto 50,000/- Rs.50,001/- to 1,00,000/- Machinery Upto 50,000/- Rs.50,001/- to 1,00,000/- Thus, he argues that the authorities cannot seize the vehicle for any alleged violations, they could, at the best levy only penalties. 6. Considering the submissions of both the learned counsel and upon perusing the material on record, the Writ Petition is disposed of in terms of the order passed in W.P.No.5213 of 2025, dated 03.03.2025 directing the respondent authorities to pass appropriate orders in terms of clause 6(III)(Q)(i), of G.O.Ms.No.43 Industries and Commerce (Mines-III), Department, dated 08.07.2024, for levying penalty, if any. After the levy of penalty, and on payment of such penalty, the seized vehicles shall be released by the 3rd respondent on producing the receipt of such payment 4 and ownership documents of the vehicles to the satisfaction of the 3rd respondent. There shall be no order as to costs. As a sequel, miscellaneous applications pending, if any, shall also stand closed. ______________________________ JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA Dated: 07.04.2025 MSI 5 THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA WRIT PETITION NO: 9014/2025 Dated: 07.04.2025 MSI