THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARULU NIMMAGADDA WRIT PETITION NO.2920 OF 2026 ORDER: This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, claiming the following relief: “To issue Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of respondents in seizing the Tipper Lorry bearing No AP 30 V 8352 of the 1st petitioner and Tipper Lorry bearing No AP 39 UL 4337 of the 2nd 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 Heard Sri Chetan Ponnuru, learned counsel for the petitioners and learned Government Pleader for Mines and Geology. During hearing, learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners are ready to oblige the orders of the respondent authority and pay the seigniorage fee and penalty as contemplated under the Clause (iii) Sub-Rule(3) of Rule 26 of the Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966. Hence, a direction may be given to the respondent authorities to pass the orders and collect the due seigniorage fee and penalty and release the seized granite slabs and vehicle. Learned Government Pleader for Mines & Geology would submit that orders may be passed accordingly. In view of the above submissions, the Writ Petition is allowed and the 2nd respondent is directed to pass orders in terms of the Clause (iii) Sub-Rule(3) of Rule 26 of the Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966 and collect due seigniorage fee and penalty as per law and release the vehicles Nos. AP 30 V 8352 and AP 39 UL 4337 seized by the respondent officials, to the petitioners within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a copy of the order. No costs. Consequently, miscellaneous applications pending if any, shall also stands closed. _____________________________________________ JUSTICE VENKATESWARULU NIMMAGADDA Date:03.02.2026 SP