APHC010183642026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3332] TUESDAY,THE TWENTY FIRST DAY OF APRIL TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE RAVI CHEEMALAPATI WRIT PETITION NO: 10522/2026 Between: 1. C RAMACHANDRA, , S/O C. SREERAMULU, AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS, OCC FAIR PRICE SHOP DEALER, SHOP NO. 1239008, SIDDAGURIPALLI H/O KURIL VILLAGE, TALUPULA MANDAL, SRI SATHYA SAI DISTRICT. 515581 ...PETITIONER AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, CIVIL SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI. 522239 2. THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, KADIRI DIVISION, SRI SATHYA SAI DISTRICT. 515581 3. THE TAHSILDAR, , TALUPULA MANDAL, SRI SATHYA SAI DISTRICT. 515581 4. SMT LAKKIREDDY SIRISHA, W/O P. SRINATH REDDY, TEMPORARY FAIR PRICE SHOP DEALER, SIDDAGURIPALLI H/O KURIL VILLAGE, TALUPULA MANDAL, SRI SATHYA SAI DISTRICT. 515581 ...RESPONDENT(S): Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court 2 may be pleased to issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate Writ Order or direction declaring the action of the respondent no. 2 in suspending the authorization of the petitioner vide proceedings in Rc. No. F/34/2025 dated. 09.03.2026 is illegal, arbitrary and violation of Articles 14, 19 AND 21 of constitution of India consequently set aside the same and pass IA NO: 1 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased suspend the operation of the proceedings issued by the 2NDrespondent vide proceedings in Rc. No. F/34/2025 dated. 09.03.2026 by continuing the petitioner as a F.P shop dealer in Shop No. 1239008 as a permanent fair price shop dealer situated at Siddaguripalli Village, H/o Kuril Village, Talupula Mandal, Sri Sathya Sai District. By enabling him to supply to the card holders pending disposal of the above Writ Petition and pass Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. K SRINIVAS Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. HARINATH REDDY SOMAGUTTA 2. GP FOR CIVIL SUPPLIES The Court made the following: 3 ORDER: Questioning the proceedings dated 09.03.2026 issued by the 2nd respondent vide Rc.No.F/34/2025 suspending the petitioner’s authorization in respect of Fair Price Shop No.1239008, Siddaguripalli Village, H/o Kurli Village, Talupula Mandal, Sri Sathya Sai District, the present writ petition is filed. 2. Heard Sri K.Srinivas, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri Appasani Vineeth, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner while reiterating the contents of the writ affidavit would contend that the authorities, alleging variations in the ground balance of commodities found during inspection of the Fair Price shop, issued show cause notice, for which the petitioner submitted explanation, however, the authorities, without considering the explanation, in a mechanical way, suspended the authorization of the petitioner without giving reasons in violation of the orders passed by this Court in K.Prabhavathi vs. State of A.P. 1, therefore, the impugned suspension order is liable to be set aside. Accordingly, prayed to allow the writ petition. . 1 2020(6) ALD 209 4 4. Sri Appasani Vineeth, learned Assistant Government Pleader, justified the impugned order of suspension contending that as the authorities found variation in ground balance of commodities, suspended the Fair Price shop authorization of the petitioner, pending final enquiry, after following the procedure contemplated under law. He would further contend that the writ petition being meritless deserves dismissal. Accordingly, prayed to dismiss the writ petition. 5. Perused the material available on record and considered the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties. 6. The petitioner’s Fair Price shop dealership authorization was suspended pending enquiry. It is fairly conceded by the learned Assistant Government Pleader that enquiry had not been completed so far. 7. Clause 8(4)(2) of the Andhra Pradesh Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2018, mandates that the appointing authority shall dispose the disciplinary case filed against the fair price shop dealers as early as possible, preferably within a period of three (03) months from the date of filing, keeping in view of the convenience of the cardholders and for smooth functioning of Targeted Public Distribution System. 8. In view of the above, without going into the merits of the matter, this Court is inclined to dispose of the writ petition without inviting counter, by passing the following order: 5 “The authorities are directed to conclude the enquiry within a period of three (03) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order else the order of suspension shall be revoked.” 9. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. As a sequel, miscellaneous applications, pending if any, shall stand closed. _____________________________ JUSTICE RAVI CHEEMALAPATI Date: 21st April, 2026 RKS