APHC010714672025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH [3333]

AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction)

FRIDAY,THE SECOND DAY OF JANUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE V.SUJATHA WRIT PETITION NO: 36606/2025 Between:

1. S RINIVASA LUBES AND OIL PRODUCTS, REPRESENTED BY ITS AUTHORISED SIGNATORY, YELCHURI SRINIVASA RAO, AGED ABOUT 53 YEARS, R/O D.NO. 6-262/8, ONGOLE, PRAKASAM DISTRICT.

2. R . BALAJI,, S/O RAMACHANDRAN, AGED 34 YEARSM, OWNER OF VEHICLE NO. TN05AS7537, R/O JJ NAGAR, STH CROSS STREET, KORUKKUPET, CHENNAI, TAMILNADU- 600021.

3. N . RAVI, , S/O NARAYANASWAMY, AGED 54 YEARS, OWNER OF VEHICLE NO. TN03E5880, R/O 4-189, VALLUVARNAGAR, PUZHAL, CHENNAI, TAMILNADU -

600066 ...PETITIONER(S)

AND

1. T HE STATE OF AP, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, CIVIL SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI, GUNTUR DISTRICT-522237

2. T HE JOINT COLLECTOR, CIVIL SUPPLIES, PRAKASAM DISTRICT-523001.

3. T HE DISTRICT SUPPLY OFFICER, (CIVIL SUPPLIES), ONGOLE, PRAKASAM DISTRICT-523001.

4. T HE ASSISTANT SUPPLY OFFICER, (CIVIL SUPPLIES), ONGOLE, PRAKASAM DISTRICT-523001.

5. T HE REGIONAL VIGILANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, REGIONAL VIGILANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OFFICE, ONGOLE, PRAKASAM DISTRICT-523001 ...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 direction, more particularly a WRIT OF MANDAMUS, declaring the action of the action of the Respondent No.4 in seizing the vehicles bearing Registration Nos. (i) TN05 AS 7537 (ii) TN03E5880T with Industrial Oil under the cover of the mediators report dated 10.12.2025 even though there are valid Invoices as illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional and also violative of Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India and also in contrary to the provisions of Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and consequently set aside the same with a direction to the respondents not to proceed further and to 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 DIRECT the respondents release the vehicle bearing no. (i) TN05 AS 7537 (ii)

TN03E5880T along with Industrial and pass Counsel for the Petitioner(S):

1. T S B V RAMA REDDY Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. GP FOR CIVIL SUPPLIES The Court made the following:

ORDER:-

This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the following relief:

“….to issue a writ or direction, more particularly a WRIT OF MANDAMUS, declaring the action of the action of the Respondent No.4 in seizing the vehicles bearing Registration Nos. (i) TN05 AS 7537 (ii) TN03E5880T with Industrial Oil under the cover of the mediators report dated 10.12.2025 even though there are valid Invoices as illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional and also violative of Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India and also in contrary to the provisions of Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and consequently set aside the same with a direction to the respondents not to proceed further...”

2. The case of the petitioners is that:-

a. The 1^st petitioner firm was established in the year

2022 and is engaged in the business of buying and selling lubricants and other oils to the industries for their industrial purposes. The firm is duly registered under GST Act vide GST No.37ACBPE3325D1Z5 and has been carrying its operations without any complaint, blemish or remarks.

b. The 2^nd and 3^rd petitioners are engaged in the business of providing transport services to various companies and are the owners of the vehicles bearing Registration Nos.

TN05 AS 7537 and TN03 E5880T respectively.

c. The 1^st petitioner firm, as part of its business, frequently buys the Industrial oils and other lubricants from various dealers and supplies the same to the industries for their use. In the present