1 APHC010125222025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3332] THURSDAY,THE TWENTY SECOND DAY OF JANUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE RAVI CHEEMALAPATI WRIT PETITION NO: 6609/2025 Between: 1. CHAGALETI RAMACHANDR, A, S/O. CH. SREE RAMULU, AGED ABOUT 43, YEARS, OCC. FAIR SHOP DEALER, F.P. SHOP NO.1239008, R/O. D.NO.8-69, SIDDUGURIPALLI VILLAGE, TALUPULA MANDAL, ANANTAPUR DISTRICT. ...PETITIONER AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND CIVIL SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI, GUNTUR DISTRICT. 2. THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, KADIRI DIVISION, ANANTAPUR NOW SRI SATHYA SAI DISTRICT. 3. THE TAHSILDAR, TALUPULA MANDAL, ANANTAPUR NOW SRI SATHYA SAI DISTRICT. ...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 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 28.02.2025 without conducting any enquiry and indefinitely is illegal, arbitrary 2 and violation of Articles 14, 19 and 21 of constitution of India consequently set aside the same and pass IA NO: 1 OF 2025 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 suspend the proceedings issued by the 2^^ respondent vide proceedings in RC no. F/34/2025 dated 28.02.2025 by continuing the petitioner as a F.P shop dealer in Shop No. 1239008, situated Sidduguripalli Village, Talupula Mandal, Anantapur now 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. GP FOR CIVIL SUPPLIES The Court made the following: 3 ORDER This writ petition is filed questioning the orders dated 28.02.2025 passed by respondent No.2 vide Rc.No.F/34/2025 suspending the petitioner’s authorization in respect of FP Shop No.1239008, Sidduguripalli Village, Talupula Mandal, Anantapur District. 2. Heard Sri K.Srinivas, learned counsel for the petitioner, and Sri Appasani Vineeth, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies. 3. Sri K.Srinivas, learned counsel, while reiterating the contents of the writ affidavit would contend that the authorities alleging that the petitioner failed to maintain scheduled commodities physically as per the balances shown in the electronic device, issued show cause notice calling for explanation, for which the petitioner submitted a detailed 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. 4. Sri Appasani Vineeth, learned Assistant Government Pleader, justified the impugned order of suspension contending that as the authorities have found variation of -540 Kgs of Fortified Rice(Short) at the time of inspection, 1. 2020(6) ALD 209 4 suspended the F.P.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 FP shop dealership authorization was suspended pending enquiry. This Court vide orders dated 21.03.2025, suspended the impugned order dated 28.02.2025 issued by the respondent No.2, for a period of ten (10) weeks. 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 (3) 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. It is fairly conceded by the learned Assistant Government Pleader that enquiry had not been completed so far. 9. In view of the above, without going into the merits of the matter, the writ petition can be disposed of with the following direction: 5 “The authorities shall conclude the enquiry at an earliest. Till conclusion of enquiry, the interim orders passed by this Court on 21.03.2025 shall continue.” 10. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Pending miscellaneous petitions, if any, shall stand closed. ________________________ JUSTICE RAVI CHEEMALAPATI 22.01.2026 TM/SCS 6 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE RAVI CHEEMALAPATI WRIT PETITION NO: 6609/2025 Date:- 22.01.2026 TM/SCS