THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE N.V.SHRAVAN KUMAR

WRIT PETITION No.28811 of 2025

ORDER

Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Assistant

Government Pleader for Mines and Geology appearing for respondent Nos.1 and 2. With their consent, this writ petition is being taken up for disposal at

the admission stage itself.

2. This writ petition has been filed seeking the following prayer:-

“to declare the impugned notice No.1672/Vigilance/2024 dated 26.08.2025 issued by the 2^nd respondent to the petitioner in directing the petitioner to submit documentary evidence for the seized sand 900 MT in Sy No.704/3, Paidipalli village, Warangal Mandal and District on 25.08.2025 as bad in law, arbitrary, unjust and high handed one and

consequently set aside the same.”

3. Brief facts stated in this writ petition are that the petitioner is a business entrepreneur and after obtaining valid licenses, petitioner is running cement pipes business under name and style M/s.Kalyani Pipe Company at Paidipalli Village, Warangal Mandal and District. The case of the petitioner is that on 25.08.2025, the Regional Vigilance and Enforcement team along with staff of respondent Nos.2 and 3 conducted joint inspection of the petitioner’s company and found that 900 tones of sand is dumped in the company premises. Thereafter, the petitioner on phone was informed to provide necessary documents to support the preservation of sand in bulk quantity and the petitioner had submitted the said documents and informed that the sand was purchased for re-modification and renovation of the unit. However, through panchanama, respondent authorities have seized the sand on 25.08.2025. Hence, the petitioner on 27.08.2025 made a detailed representation

before respondent No.2 and submitted documentary evidences in support of his case. It is further submitted that respondent No.2 issued impugned notice bearing No.1672/Vigilance/2024 dated 26.08.2025 and directed the petitioner to produce the documentary evidences having paid seigniorage fees to the Government for the sand stock of 900 MT, within (7) days from the date of receipt of this notice, failing which necessary action will be initiated as per rules in force. Aggrieved by the same, this writ petition is filed.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner vide representation dated 27.08.2025 had submitted documentary evidences and requested respondent authorities to consider the same and exempt the petitioner from all the charges and close the proceedings initiated against the petitioner.

5. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Mines and Geology appearing for respondent Nos.1 and 2 placed on record instructions issued by the respondent No.2, wherein it is submitted that the petitioner has submitted his explanation on 28.08.2025, stating that the sand is stored for the purpose of re-modification and renovation of the unit and further submitted that he is planning to start the industry after Dasara festival and has submitted (30) way bills for a quantity of 780 MT of sand issued by M/s.TGMDC Ltd. On verification of the documentary evidences, it is noticed that neither delivery address was specific nor the name of the industry. Since, the documentary evidences submitted by the petitioner was not satisfactory, the same were not considered.

6. Learned Assistant Government Pleader further submits that as per Rule-14 of G.O.Ms.No.3 dated 08.01.2015, the Tahsildar (or) the officers nominated by Tahsildar at Mandal level: Sub-Collector/Revenue Division Officer (or) nominated by the Sub-Collector/Revenue Division officer at Division level: the Joint Collector/the District Collector, Warangal Rural at District level shall seize illegal sand stocks and shall keep the same under safe custody of concerned Tahsildar and the same shall be disposed through Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation. Learned Assistant Government Pleader has drawn attention of this Court to Rule-14 of Telangana State Sand Mining Rules, 2015