2026:APHC:1354 APHC010003452026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI [3333]

(Special Original Jurisdiction)

WEDNESDAY, THE SEVENTH DAY OF JANUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE V.SUJATHA WRIT PETITION NO: 442/2026 Between:

1. G URRAM VARA LAKSHMI, W/O. DEVATHI VARA PRASAD, AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS, OCC DEALER OF F.P. SHOP NO.0814018, R/O. KELLAMPALLI VILLAGE, MUNDLAMURU MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT.

...PETITIONER AND

1. T HE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP., BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, CIVIL SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, VELAGAPUDI, SECRETARIAT BUILDING, AMARAVATHI, GUNTUR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH. - 522 236

2. T HE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, KANIGIRI, PRAKASAM DISTRICT. - 523 230

3. T HE TAHSILDAR, MUNDLAMURU MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT. -

523 265 ...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 or order more particularly one in the nature of writ of mandamus or an appropriate writ or order declaring the proceedings in Rc.K/2241/2025, dt. 23-12-2025, issued by the 2nd respondent whereunder suspended the authorization of the petitioner, pending enquiry with regard to the fair price shop No. 0814018, Kellampalli Village, Mundiamuru Mandal, Prakasam District, without enquiry, is illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional and against to the principles of natural justice and contrary to the Control Orders and consequently set aside the same 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 pleased to suspend the proceedings in Rc.K/2241/2025, dt. 23-12-2025, issued by the 2^^ respondent whereunder suspended the authorization of the petitioner pending enquiry with regard to the fair price shop No. 0814018, Kellampalli Village, Mundlamuru Mandal, Prakasam District, pending disposal of the writ petition Counsel for the Petitioner:

1. KOTI REDDY IDAMAKANTI Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. GP FOR REVENUE

2. GP FOR CIVIL SUPPLIES The Court made the following Order:

This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, seeking the following relief:-

“….to issue a writ or order more particularly one in the nature of writ of mandamus or an appropriate writ or order declaring the proceedings in Rc.K/2241/2025, dt.23-12-2025, issued by the 2^ndrespondent whereunder suspended the authorization of the petitioner, pending enquiry with regard to the fair price shop No.0814018, Kellampalli Village, Mundlamuru Mandal, Prakasam District, without enquiry, is illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional and against to the principles of natural justice and contrary to the Control Orders and consequently set aside the same and to pass such other order or orders…”

2. Brief facts of the case are as follows:

a) The petitioner was appointed as a permanent Fair Price Shop dealer for Shop No.0814018, Kellampalli Village, Mundlamuru Mandal, Prakasam District, 30 years prior to the filing of the present writ petition. The petitioner’s authorization has been renewed from time to time and is valid up to 2026.

b) While the things stood thus, the Enforcement Deputy Tahsildar, Darsi submitted a report to the 2^nd respondent alleging that, on receipt of credible information that the petitioner is not distributing essential commodities properly and that there were variations in the stock balance, the Enforcement Deputy Tahsildar, Mundlamuru along with the Food Inspector, Podili proceeded to the petitioner’s Fair Price Shop on 05.12.2025 at around 6.30 p.m. and secured the panchanamdars and inspected the shop and have found variations of (+) 615 kgs of PDS rice and (+) 28 packets of sugar. In pursuance of the said report, the 2^nd respondent issued a show-cause notice on 11.12.2025 calling for an explanation from the petitioner duly framing a single charge. For which, the petitione