IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH :: AMAR (Special Original Jurisdiction) j THURSDAY, THE FIFTH DAY OF JUNE * TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA WRIT PETITION NO: 14022 OF 2025 Between: Sri Grandhi Veerabhadra Rao, S/o. Subba Rao, Aged 50 Years, Occ Business, Proprietor of Sri Vishnu Priya Traders, At Shop No. A-51, SVG Market, RTC Complex, Rajamahendravaram, E. G. District. ...PETITIONER AND 1. The State of Andhra Pradesh, Rep. by its Principal Secretary, Revenue (Excise) Dept., Secretariat Buildings, at Velagapudi, Amaravathi, Guntur District. 2. The Deputy Commissioner Pro. and Excise, Rajamahendravaram Division, E. G. District. 3. The Station House Officer, Prohibition and Excise Station, Rajamahendravaram North, E. G. District ...RESPONDENTS Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith the High Court may be pleased to issue an appropriate Writ, Order or Direction more particularly in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, declaring the Respondents in not releasing the stocks of jaggery 17,919 kgs, seized in FIR.No.98 of 2025 i value of Rs.5,37,570/-, one action of the in spite of my readiness to furnish the third party surety as being illegal, arbitrary and unjust and consequently, direct the Respondents to release the petitioner's 17,919 kgs of jaggery value of Rs. 5,37,570/- by allowing him to furnish third party ^ surety and to grant such other relief deems fit and proper in the circumstances of the or reliefs as this Hon'ble Court case. may lA NO: 1 OF 2C)9Fi Petition under Section 151 CPC staled in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to direct the Respondents praying that in the circumstances to Release the petitioner's stocks of jaggery 17,919 kgs, seized in FIR.No.98 of 2025 third party surety value of Rs. by allowing him to furnish 5,37,570/-, pending disposal of the Writ Petition. Counsel for the Petitioner: SRI BABUJI Counsel for the Respondent Nos.1 The Court made the following: ORDER TENNETI to 3: GP FOR PROHIBITION & EXCISE APHC010278482025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3458] THURSDAY. THE FIFTH DAY OF JUNE TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA WRIT PETITION NO: 14022/2025 Between: Sri Grandhi Veerabhadra Rao ...PETITIONER AND The State of Andhra Pradesh and Others ...RESPONDENT{S) Counsel for the Petitioner: 1.BABUJI TENNETI Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1.GP FOR PROHIBITION EXCISE The Court made the following: ORDER: Heard Sri Babuji Tenneti, learned counsel for the petitioner, and Ms. Y.Hari Swapna, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Prohibition and Excise appearing for the respondents. 2. The grievance of the petitioner is against the order of the respondents in seizing 17,919 KGs of jaggery in connection with F.I.R. No. 98 of 2025. 2 3. The petitioner who is a trader, dealing in jaggery after obtaining the trade license. It is contended that the jiggery is treated as agricultural produce, the petitioner has valid registration from the GST and Food Safety Authorities in India. The petitioner purchases the jaggery from wholesalers and sells the same. However officials of the respondent have seized 17,919 KGs. of jaggery from the petitioner in connection with Cr. No.98 of 2025 dated 4. 21.04.2025 for offences under 7-B r/w 8-A & B of A.P. Prohibition Act 1995 (Amended 2020). It is further contended that the possession and sale of jaggery cannot be viewed as an offence under the provisions of AP Excise Act. It is further argued that the stock has been lying with the respondents since 21.04.2025, which is perishable item, prays for release of the same. The learned counsel relies on the Division Bench decision of this Court in W.P. No.12429 of 2022. Considered the rival submissions. Placing reliance on the above orders of this Court, this Court deems it appropriate to dispose of the Writ Petition. 5. 6. The Writ Petition is disposed of, directing the respondents to release the jaggery seized from the petitioner on the petitioner furnishing a personal bond for the value of the jaggery seized. It is open to the respondents to proceed in accordance with law against the petitioner. 3 A With the above direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. 7. As a sequel, all pending miscellaneous applications shall stand closed. ^ SD/-G HELA NAJOU ASSISTANT REGI^TR QOT^FFICER AR //TRUE COPY// SE To, 1. The Principal Secretary, Revenue (Excise) Dept., State of Andhra Pradesh, Secretariat Buildings, at Velagapudi, Amaravathi, Guntur District. 2. The Deputy Commissioner Pro. and Excise, Rajamahendravaram Division, E. G. District. 3. The Station House Officer, Prohibition and Excise Station, Rajamahendravaram North, E. G. District 4. One CC to Sri Babuji Tenneti, Advocate [OPUC] 5. Two CCs to GP for Prohibition and Excise, High Court of Andhra Pradesh. [OUT] 6. Three CD Copies. ssb HIGH COURT DATED:05/06/2025 g 0 s JUN 2125 4 ^ . Current Secuon ^i^fSPATCVtgg^ ORDER WP.No.14022 of 2025 DISPOSING OF THE W.P. WITHOUT COSTS