ALLADI KUPPUSWAMI, J.

( 1 ) THE petitioner is a dealer in foodgrains. On 24-1-1973 he was found transporting 360 bags of rice in three lorries. The petitioner as well as the drivers of the lorries were prosecuted before the Judicial 1st Class Magistrate, Tirupati in C. C. No 19 of 1975 for contravention of c1. (3) of the Andhra Pradesh Paddy and Rice (Restriction on Movement) Order, 1970 read with Ss. 7 and 8 of the Essential Commodities Act The learned Magistrate acquitted the accused. A Criminal Appeal No. 730/1976 was preferred by the State to this Court which was dismissed on 13-8-1977. Meanwhile, the District Revenue officer also proceeded under S. 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act and as he was satisfied that there was a contravention of the order referred to above he directed confiscation of the goods seized. The petitioner preferred an appeal to the Judicial authority namely Sessions Court, Chittoor under S. 6-C of the Act. His appeal was dismissed and the order of confiscation was confirmed.

( 2 ) IN the course of certain interlocutory proceedings in a writ petition filed in this Court by the petitioner there was a direction to return the goods to the petitioner. As the

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