APHC010023132026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3329] TUESDAY,THE TWENTIETH DAY OF JANUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA WRIT PETITION NO: 1570/2026 Between: 1. MINDALA VINOD, S/O. SUBBA RAO, AGED 43 YEARS, R/O. 5-102, THAKKELLAPADU, GUNTUR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH. ...PETITIONER AND 1. THE STATE OF AP, REP. BY ITS. PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, MINES AND GEOLOGY DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS AT VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH-522237. 2. THE TAHSILDAR, THULLURU MANDAL, GUNTUR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH-522237. 3. THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER, , THULLURU POLICE STATION, GUNTUR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH-522237. ...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 may be pleased topleased to issue a Writ, Order or Direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of respondents in seizing the Lorry bearing No. AP 16 TE 6021 of the petitioner without following any procedure under statutes as illegal, arbitrary and violative of the procedure contemplated under the A.P. Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966 and provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957., and the rules made there under apart from being violation of Article 14, 19(1)(g) and 300-A of Constitution of India and consequently direct the 2 respondents to release the vehicle of the petitioner from their custody and to 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 pleased to direct the 2nd and 3rd respondents to grant interim custody the Lorry bearing No. AP 16 TE 6021 of the petitioner pending disposal of the above writ petition and to pass Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. CHETAN PONNURU Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR HOME 2. GP FOR REVENUE 3. GP FOR MINES AND GEOLOGY The Court made the following: 3 THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA WRIT PETITION No.1570 OF 2026 ORDER:- This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of the India seeking the following reliefs:- “to issue a Writ, Order or Direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of respondents in seizing the Lorry bearing No.AP 16 TE 6021 of the petitioner without following any procedure under statutes as illegal, arbitrary and violative of the procedure contemplated under the A.P.Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966 and provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and the rules made there under apart from being violation of Article 14, 19(1)(g) and 300A of Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents to release the vehicle of the petitioner from their custody and to pass such other order or orders...” 2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Assistant Government Pleader for Mines and Geology appearing for the respondents. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner’s vehicles was seized by the 3rd respondent without authority of law and in violation of the provisions of Sub-Rule (3)(iii) of Rule 26 of the Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966. He further submits that a direction may be given to the respondent authorities to pass appropriate orders for the release of the vehicle, and he relies on the decision of this Court passed in W.P.No.32021 of 2025, dated 18.11.2025. 4. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Mines and Geology appearing for the respondents did not refute the submission made by the 4 learned counsel for the petitioner since the issue involved in this writ petition is squarely covered by an earlier decision of this Court. 5. Considering the submissions made and with consent of learned counsel for both the parties, this Court is inclined to dispose of the writ petition at the stage of admission. 6. In the result, the writ petition is disposed of, directing the 3rd respondent to pass orders in terms of Sub-Rule (3)(iii) of Rule 26 of the Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966 and collect the due seigniorage fee and penalty as per law and release the vehicle bearing No. AP 16 TE 6021 seized by the 3rd respondent to the petitioner within a period of one (01) week from the date of receipt of the copy of the order. There shall be no order as to costs. As a sequel, miscellaneous applications pending, if any, shall also stand closed. ________________________________ VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA, J Date:20.01.2026 NOTE: C.C by 21.01.2026 (B/o) BSP 5 31 THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA WRIT PETITION.NO.1570 OF 2026 Date:20.01.2026 NOTE: C.C by 21.01.2026 (B/o) BSP