APHC010396222024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH WEDNESDAY,THE FOURTH DAY OF FEBRUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE RAVI CHEEMALAPATI WRIT PETITION NO: Between: 1. VENUPUSA NAGA PRASAD, S/O.GURAPPA. AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS, OCC. FAIR PRICE SHOP DEALER OF SHOP NO. 1137014, NALLAGUTTAPALLI VILLAGE, RAMAPURAM VILLAGE AND MANDAL, ANNAMAYYA DISTRICT. 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, CIVIL SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT. 2. THE JOINT COLLECTOR, ANNAMAYYA DISTRICT. 3. THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, RAYACHOTI, ANNAMAYYA DISTRICT, 4. THE TAHSILDAR, RAMAPURAM MANDAL, ANNAMAYYA DISTRICT. 5. THE ENFORCEMENT DEPUTY TAHSILDAR, RAMAPURAM MANDAL, ANNAMAYYA DISTRICT. Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in pleased topleased to issue an appropriate Writ, Order or direction under Article 226 of constitution of India more particularly one in the nature of Writ 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) WEDNESDAY,THE FOURTH DAY OF FEBRUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE RAVI CHEEMALAPATI WRIT PETITION NO: 20297/2024 VENUPUSA NAGA PRASAD, S/O.GURAPPA. AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS, OCC. FAIR PRICE SHOP DEALER OF SHOP NO. 1137014, NALLAGUTTAPALLI VILLAGE, RAMAPURAM VILLAGE AND MANDAL, ANNAMAYYA DISTRICT. ...PETITIONER AND THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, CIVIL SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT. THE JOINT COLLECTOR, ANNAMAYYA DISTRICT. THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, RAYACHOTI, ANNAMAYYA THE TAHSILDAR, RAMAPURAM MANDAL, ANNAMAYYA DISTRICT. THE ENFORCEMENT DEPUTY TAHSILDAR, RAMAPURAM MANDAL, ANNAMAYYA 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 an appropriate Writ, Order or direction under Article 226 of constitution of India more particularly one in the nature of Writ RC,J W.P.No.20297 of 2024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH [3332] WEDNESDAY,THE FOURTH DAY OF FEBRUARY THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE RAVI CHEEMALAPATI VENUPUSA NAGA PRASAD, S/O.GURAPPA. AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS, OCC. FAIR PRICE SHOP DEALER OF SHOP NO. 1137014, NALLAGUTTAPALLI VILLAGE, RAMAPURAM VILLAGE AND ...PETITIONER PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, CIVIL SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT. THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, RAYACHOTI, ANNAMAYYA THE TAHSILDAR, RAMAPURAM MANDAL, ANNAMAYYA DISTRICT. THE ENFORCEMENT DEPUTY TAHSILDAR, RAMAPURAM MANDAL, ...RESPONDENT(S): Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased topleased to issue an appropriate Writ, Order or direction under Article 226 of constitution of India more particularly one in the nature of Writ RC,J W.P.No.20297 of 2024 2 of Mandamus declaring the order in proceedings in Ref.No.C/714/2024, dated 05.09.2024 (impugned order) issued by the Respondent No.3 as arbitrary and illegal, contrary to the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh State Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Orders, 2018 and contrary to the well-established legal principles apart from being violative of the fundamental and Constitutional rights guaranteed to me under Articles 14, 19, 21 and 300-A of the Constitution of India and consequently set aside the same and pass IA NO: 1 OF 2024 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 continue me as the Fair Price Shop dealer by suspending the order in proceedings in Ref.No.C/714/2024, dated 05.09.2024 issued by the Respondent No.3, pending disposal of the above Writ Petition and pass Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. PAPUDIPPU SASHIDAR REDDY Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR CIVIL SUPPLIES The Court made the following: RC,J W.P.No.20297 of 2024 3 ORDER This writ petition is filed questioning the orders dated 05.09.2024 passed by respondent no.3- Revenue Divisional Officer, vide Ref.No.C/714/2024, suspending the petitioner’s authorization in respect of FP Shop No.1137014, Nallaguttapalli Village, Ramapuram Mandal, Annamayya District . 2. Heard Sri Papudippu Sashidhar Reddy, learned counsel for the petitioner, and Sri Appasani Vineeth, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies. 3. Sri Papudippu Sasidhar Reddy, learned counsel, while reiterating the contents of the writ affidavit would contend that the authorities, alleging that that the dealer has not responded before the inspecting officers, that less quantity of Essential commodities is being distributed and that the commodities are not being distributed regularly, issued show cause notice and though an explanation was submitted, the authorities without considering the explanation, in a mechanical way, suspended the authorization of the petitioner without giving reasons, 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 found RC,J W.P.No.20297 of 2024 4 irregularities in running F.P.shop, 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 13.09.2024, suspended the impugned orders. 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: RC,J W.P.No.20297 of 2024 5 “The authorities shall conclude the enquiry at an earliest. Till conclusion of enquiry, the interim orders passed by this Court on 13.09.2024 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 DATE: 4th day of February, 2026 RR