APHC010373672026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3331] WEDNESDAY, THE 22nd DAY OF JULY 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE SUBBA REDDY SATTI WRIT PETITION NO: 20119/2026 Between: 1. P VENUGOPAL, S/O P. SUBBARAMAIAH, 65 YEARS, SHOP NO. 1003003, OCC FAIR PRICE SHOP DEALER, CHOWDASAMUDRAM VILLAGE, MULAKALACHERUVU MANDAL ANNAMAYYA DISTRICT - 517 390. ...PETITIONER AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, CIVIL SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI. 2. THE COLLECTOR CS, MADANAPALLE ANNAMAYYA DISTRICT - 517 325. 3. THE SUBCOLLECTOR, MADANAPALLE, ANNAMAYYA DISTRICT - 517 325.. 4. THE TAHSILDAR, MULAKALACHERUVU MANDAL, ANNAMAYYA DISTRICT. - 517 390. ...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 to issue an appropriate Writ, Order or Direction, more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, declaring the Proceedings Roc.C1/e.40891/2026 dated 18.06.2026 issued by the 3rd respondent in suspending the Fair Price Shop Authorization of the petitioner in Shop No. 1003003, Chowdasamudram village, Mulakalacheruvu Mandal, Annamayya District as illegal, improper, unjust arbitrary, colorable exercise of power, without considering the written explanation, without following the procedure and contrary to Andhra Pradesh State Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) order, 2018 and further direct the respondents to permit the petitioner to distribute the essential commodities to the card holders 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 to stay the Proceedings Roc.C1/e.40891/2026;may dated 18.06.2026 issued by the 3rd respondent duly permitting the Fair Price Shop No. No.1003003,the petitioner to run Chowdasamudram Annamayya District pending disposal of the writ petition and pass Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. MAHADEVA KANTHRIGALA Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. The Court made the following: ::ORDER :: Impugning the proceedings issued by respondent No.3 vide Roc.C1/e. 40891/2026, dated 18.06.2026 (Ex.P4), the above writ petition was filed. 2. Heard Sri Mahadeva Kanthrigala, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri Vineeth Appasani, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies, appearing for the respondents. 3. The petitioner was appointed as a Fair Price Shop dealer in respect of F.P. shop bearing No.1003003 of Chowdasamudram Village, Mulakalacheruvu Mandal, Annamayya District. The Tahsildar, Mulakalacheruvu Mandal, along with the Vigilance & Enforcement officials, inspected the shop on 02.06.2026 and found variation in the stock. Respondent No.4 submitted a report dated 03.06.2026 to respondent No.3. Page 3 of 5 Thereafter, the respondent No.3, by the proceedings impugned, suspended the authorisation of the petitioner, pending inquiry. 4. Sri Mahadeva Kanthrigala, learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that respondent No.3 neither issued a show-cause notice nor furnished the relevant records to the petitioner before suspending the authorisation. 5. Per contra, Sri Vineeth Appasani, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies would submit that respondent No.3, by exercising power under Clause 8(4) of the Andhra Pradesh State Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2018 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Control Order, 2018’), suspended the authorisation of the petitioner, pending inquiry. He would also submit that a show-cause notice was not issued so far. Respondent No.3 will issue the show-cause notice and furnish the report and other relevant records to the petitioner, enabling the petitioner to submit an explanation. 6. In reply, Sri Mahadeva Kanthrigala, learned counsel for the petitioner would urge the Court to direct the respondent No.3 to complete the inquiry, within the timelines stipulated under Clause 8(4) of the Control Order, 2018. 7. Given the facts and circumstances of the case, keeping the writ petition pending and inviting a counter will not serve any purpose. Thus, the Writ Petition is disposed of at the stage of admission with the consent of learned counsel appearing on either side, with the following directions: (i) Learned respondent No.3 shall issue a show-cause notice and furnish the report along with the relevant records to the petitioner, enabling the petitioner to submit a proper explanation, if not furnished. (ii) The petitioner shall submit an explanation by annexing all the relevant documents. (iii) The learned respondent No.3 shall conclude the inquiry strictly as per the timelines mentioned in Clause 8(4) of the Control Order, 2018 i.e. 90 days and adhere to the directions in the order in W.A.Nos.122 & 139 of 2025, dated 25.02.2025 and also the circular vide CCS.Ref.No.PDS.II(1)/ 307/2025, dated 05.12.2025, as amended from time to time, by affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. (iv) The petitioner shall cooperate during the enquiry. (v) If the respondent No.3 fails to conclude the inquiry within the time stipulated, the proceedings issued by respondent No.3 vide Roc.C1/e. 40891/2026, dated 18.06.2026 (Ex.P4), shall stand revoked, without reference to any further orders. (vi) In such an event, respondent No.3 shall restore the authorisation of the petitioner in respect of F.P. shop bearing No.1003003 of Chowdasamudram Village, Mulakalacheruvu Mandal, Annamayya District. No order as to costs. As a sequel, pending miscellaneous petitions, if any, shall stand closed. ___________________________ JUSTICE SUBBA REDDY SATTI Date: 22.07.2026 TVN Whether the order is : Speaking Yes/No / Reasoned Yes/No Reportable Yes/No / Non-Reportable Yes/No 62 THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE SUBBA REDDY SATTI WRIT PETITION No.20119 OF 2026 Date: 22.07.2026 TVN